A case has been filed over the alleged theft of 4,292 litres of condensate from a national grid pipeline in Madhabpur Upazila of Habiganj, with a former Union Parishad member and four to five unidentified people named as accused.
Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) Deputy Manager Zayed Hossain filed the case with Madhabpur Police Station on Wednesday night, accusing former Noapara Union Parishad member Islam Uddin and others, reports Bangla Tribune.
According to police and GTCL officials, the company’s security personnel detected a hole in the condensate pipeline beside the gate of Ratanpur Doctor Bari in the North Noapara area, near the Dhaka-Sylhet highway, around 1am on Wednesday. They spotted five to six suspicious people near the pipeline.
When security personnel approached them, the suspects tried to leave. An inspection later revealed a hole in the pipeline, along with evidence that condensate had been siphoned off using an extended hosepipe.
Dulal Mia, supervisor of GTCL’s security team, said former UP member Islam Uddin, 50, was seen roaming around the area during the incident and tried to prevent security personnel from approaching the pipeline.
Police later visited the scene and seized equipment allegedly used in the theft, including a six-inch clamp, a one-inch GI pipe and two ball valves.
Two large water tanks used for storing the stolen fuel were also recovered from a pond and the surrounding area near Islam Uddin’s house. Authorities additionally found two concealed underground pits or tanks reportedly built to store oil at his residence.
Monirul Islam, deputy general manager (security) of GTCL’s Ashuganj region, said they suspected that an organised gang, including the former UP member, had been involved in such activities for a long time. Legal action had been taken, he added.
GTCL Deputy Manager Zayed Hossain said 4,292 litres of condensate had been stolen from the pipeline over the past two days, with an estimated market value of Tk276,920.
The damaged section of the pipeline has already been repaired, while efforts are underway to gather information and identify those involved, he said.
GTCL Sub-assistant Engineer Shamim Hasan said specialised equipment was used to puncture the pipeline before the condensate was siphoned off and smuggled to different locations. Such activities cause financial losses and pose risks to pipeline security and the environment, he added.
Repeated attempts to contact Islam Uddin by phone for comment went unanswered.
Madhabpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sohel Rana said a regular case had been filed based on GTCL’s written complaint. Sub-Inspector Shamsu Uddin Chowdhury visited the scene and seized the evidence.
Police operations are underway to arrest those involved, he added.
