A 35-year-old man was arrested for allegedly hoarding over 4,000 litres of diesel in Dakshina Kannada district. The accused, Jagasish, was arrested from his home in Belthangady taluk's Kaniyooru village.
Police recovered 4,175 litres of diesel from 20 200-litre drums and five 35-litre cans, with several empty drums and cans also found at the site, indicating preparations to store more fuel.
The fuel was estimated to be worth around ₹3.5 lakh and was stored without a licence and safety norms, posing a fire hazard.
Jagadish initially claimed the fuel was for his lorry and excavator but later confessed to stocking up to trade on the black market due to anticipated price hikes.
A case has been registered against Jagadish under various sections of the BNS, Petroleum Act, and Essential Commodities Act, and the probe is currently underway.
