Agartala, 18th May 2026: Amid a severe nationwide fuel shortage, a fuel adulteration racket was allegedly operating in broad daylight near a petrol pump in Khowai , where contaminated petrol mixed with water was being sold on the roadside. Police arrested a man identified as Swapan Ghosh in connection with the illegal activity.
The incident created significant tension in the area on Monday near the Anobadya petrol pump in Khowai. According to local sources, as fuel scarcity continues across various petrol stations in the region, drums of petrol were being openly sold just a few meters away from the pump since morning. During the operation, authorities caught the accused red-handed while allegedly selling petrol at inflated prices in one-litre bottles.
Reports suggest that the petrol being sold was heavily mixed with water, raising serious concerns about public safety and the ongoing fuel supply crisis. Questions have also been raised about how such illegal trade could operate so close—within 50 meters—of a state-run petrol station.
Following the information, police from Subhash Park Outpost and officials from the sub-divisional food department rushed to the spot. The adulterated fuel was seized from the scene, and an investigation has been launched by the administration to determine the extent of the racket and possible involvement of others.
