Siwan: Authorities in Bihar’s Siwan district have uncovered a large-scale operation producing counterfeit petrol and diesel. Acting on a tip-off, police raided a compound in the Sarai police station area and seized four tankers of solvent chemical suspected to be used in the production of adulterated fuel.
The raid, carried out by a team formed under the directive of District Officer Aditya Prakash, targeted a complex near Hardiya turn reportedly owned by Fakre Alam. Police believe the illegal fuel production was being carried out within this premises. The seized solvent is said to belong to Mukesh Yadav, who is also the owner of a local petrol pump. Both he and other suspected smugglers managed to flee the scene.
“Four tankers of solvent have been seized. An FIR has been registered. The chemicals have been sent for lab testing and further action is underway,” said Aditya Prakash, SDM of Siwan.
Authorities suspect the smugglers intended to manufacture and distribute fake petrol and diesel using the solvent. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the chemicals and the extent of the racket.
The incident has raised serious concerns about fuel adulteration in the region. Patna-based auto expert Sameer Kumar offered advice to consumers on identifying fake fuel. According to Kumar, genuine petrol, when mixed with water in a transparent bottle, should float above the water without mixing. In contrast, adulterated petrol may mix partially, creating a cloudy solution. Additionally, real petrol leaves no stain on tissue paper after evaporation and does not emit any strange odour—unlike fuel that has been mixed with water or kerosene.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation defines the standard density of pure petrol as between 730–800 kg/m³. If the density exceeds this range, adulteration is likely, Kumar said.
