Petrol racket: HC refues bail to accused

By Our Correspondent

BANGALORE, JULY 19. The Karnataka High Court on Thursday refused bail to three persons accused of adulterating petrol with "white" petrol.

Mr. Justice S.R. Bannurmath dismissed criminal applications filed by Mr. Mohammed Masood, Mr. Mohammed Maqsood and Mr. K.M. Bharat. While the first two, who are in judicial custody, sought to be released on bail, Mr. Bharat sought anticipatory bail.

According to the petitioners, when police came to the petrol station in Sanjaynagar on May 26 on information that "white" petrol was being unloaded, some of the people there ran away. The petitioners, owners of the petrol station, were arrested.

It was revealed that out of 12,000 litres of "white" petrol, 4,000 litres had been unloaded at the Sanjaynagar petrol station, and the rest at a petrol station at Trinity Circle.

Cases were registered under the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply and Distribution, and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, and under the Essential Commodities Act.

The petitioners contended that there were no grounds for their detention and sought to be released on bail.

The prosecution submitted that the investigation was yet to be completed, and some of the accused were at large.

The judge observed that adulteration of petrol and diesel was a major cause of air pollution which posed a health hazard. Therefore, the petitioners were not entitled to be released on bail.

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