Illegal import of dangerous petroleum products
Police has started investigation into dangerous petroleum products in Maharashtra. An FIR has been registered against representatives of three Mumbai-based companies for alleged illegal import and transportation of hazardous petroleum products worth more than Rs 1.4 crore, Navi Mumbai Police said. Uran assistant police inspector Shivaji Hulge said that based on a tip-off, customs officials had raided the premises of an import company on July 12.
Eight tankers containing petroleum products were found
Police officers found eight tankers containing petroleum products. The investigation revealed that the three companies handling the material had misdeclared the liquid as Process Oil 40, a non-flammable substance commonly used for manufacturing purposes.
There was a great threat to public safety
The official said subsequent investigation confirmed that the liquid was a highly flammable petroleum hydrocarbon oil. Its transportation required special permits and stringent safety precautions. He said that despite being aware of the dangerous nature of the substance, the companies allegedly transported it without the necessary licenses. This posed a great threat to public safety.
Police registered a case
Uran Police on Sunday registered an FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code against representatives of three companies based in Mumbai’s Santa Cruz. This involves negligence and conspiracy in relation to machinery.
Police started investigating the case
Police said they have been booked under provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, Petroleum Act, Explosives Act as well as the High Speed Diesel Oil and Light Diesel Oil (Prohibition of Use) Order 1974 and the Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel (Supply, Distribution and Malpractices) A case has also been registered under Violation of (Regulation of Prevention of) Order 2005.
With inputs from PTI