In one of the largest aviation fuel scams uncovered in recent years, Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has dismantled a massive smuggling racket involving the daily theft of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) from official supply chains. The illegal operation, which had been functioning covertly for the last three years, has resulted in losses amounting to over ₹60 crore.
Secret Godown and 72,000 Litres of Stolen Fuel
Based on a tip-off, a police team led by ACP Ramesh Lamba and Inspector Mahipal Singh raided a concealed godown in West Delhi’s Mundka on Sunday. Inside, they discovered 72,000 litres of stolen ATF stockpiled and ready for resale. Three loaded oil tankers, two pickup trucks, forged dip rods, duplicate tanker keys, and ₹1.05 lakh in cash were also seized during the operation.
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Six individuals were arrested at the scene, while two others were detained for further questioning. The recovered fuel and vehicles were handed over to the concerned oil company, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), after due verification.
Daily Diversion from HPCL to Black Market
The stolen fuel was originally meant to be transported from HPCL’s Asoda Depot in Bahadurgarh to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. However, drivers, in collusion with transporters and godown handlers, tampered with GPS systems and used duplicate keys to siphon off about 5,000 litres of ATF every day.
The elaborate scheme involved presenting falsified dip rod readings to falsely indicate full delivery. The stolen fuel was then disguised and sold in the open market as mineral turpentine oil, which is commonly used in printing and painting industries.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Aditya Gautam, the syndicate caused a monthly loss of approximately ₹1.62 crore to the exchequer, translating to nearly ₹60 crore over the three years of operation.
Ringleaders and Network Exposed
The mastermind of the operation has been identified as Gaya Prasad Yadav (43), a former tanker driver who operated the illegal godown. He allegedly bought the stolen ATF at ₹30 per litre and sold it for ₹50 per litre.
Key associates include:
- Rajkumar Chaudhary (53): A buyer who resold the fuel at margins of ₹43–₹50 per litre.
- Ashpal Singh Bhullar (53): Owner of eight trucks, including the three seized tankers, and one of the main logistics coordinators.
- Three Drivers: Ram Bharose Yadav (44), Anjay Roy (41), and Subodh Kumar Yadav (32), who earned ₹1,500 per trip.
- Two Helpers, both named Parveen Kumar Yadav (25 and 19), were paid ₹700 per trip to assist with operations.
Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and are investigating the financial links of the suspects to determine the extent of the racket and identify additional beneficiaries.