Nagpur: In a major crackdown, the Crime Branch has dismantled an illegal diesel pump operating on Kawtha Road, Khairi, and seized 22,000 litres of substandard diesel. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.

The accused, identified as Simransingh Satpalsingh (31), a resident of Rani Durgawati Square, and Hitendrasingh Gajendrasingh Rathod (27) from Mahendra Nagar, Teka Nagar, had rented a residential plot to run their illegal operation.

According to the police, the duo was sourcing low-quality diesel at ₹68 per litre and selling it to truck drivers at ₹75 per litre, targeting older trucks manufactured before 2010. To facilitate their operation, they installed diesel pumps and a tanker for storage.

The operation was busted following a tip-off received by the Crime Branch. A team led by Senior Police Inspector Shubhangi Deshmukh, under the guidance of DCP Detection Rahul Maknikar, conducted a raid at the site. The officers confiscated the diesel and arrested the accused on the spot.

The team involved in the operation included API Gajanan Chambhare, Sandip Chagole, Deepak Chole, Dinesh Dawre, Sunil Kuwar, Mangal Jadhav, Vivek Shripad, and other personnel.

Police investigations are ongoing to trace the network behind this illegal diesel trade. Authorities have urged citizens to report any suspicious fuel activities to help curb such illicit operations.

This raid marks another successful step by the Crime Branch in combating illegal activities and ensuring the safety of the city's fuel supply.