Fatuha police have cracked a Rs 25-lakh chemical theft case, arresting three individuals and recovering three vehicles used in the crime. Investigators discovered that the tanker driver, who initially reported the theft, had staged the entire drama to illegally sell 2,400 litres of highly flammable naphtha in Fatuha’s industrial area.
The tanker, carrying full-range naphtha from Gujarat to Kolkata, was reported stolen by the driver, Jagdish Chaudhary, a resident of Barmer, Rajasthan, to its owner, Naseem Hussain of Howrah. Mr. Hussain filed a written complaint with Fatuha police on Tuesday.
Fatuha SDPO-1, Awdhesh Kumar, stated that contradictions in Chaudhary’s statements, along with technical evidence and intensive interrogation, revealed that he had staged the theft to earn extra money by selling the valuable chemical illegally.
Following Chaudhary’s confession, a special police team raided the Fatuha Industrial Area, arresting Amit Kumar Prasad (Siwan) and Shambhu Kumar (Parsa Bazar, Patna). Police seized two pickup vehicles loaded with 2,400 litres of naphtha stored in 12 drums, along with a car used in the crime and three mobile phones from the accused.
Naphtha is a highly flammable petrochemical primarily used in nail polish, paints, thinners, plastic products, high-grade fuel, and as a solvent for industrial cleaning. Authorities continue to investigate to identify any further accomplices and prevent similar illegal sales in the industrial area.
