Patna police on Wednesday cracked a Rs 25-lakh chemical theft case in Fatuha, arresting three accused and recovering three vehicles linked to the crime. The investigation revealed that the tanker driver, Jagdish Chaudhary of Barmer, Rajasthan, had staged the theft to sell 2,400 litres of highly flammable naphtha illegally in Fatuha’s industrial area.
The incident first came to light when a tanker transporting naphtha from Gujarat to Kolkata was reported stolen. Tanker owner Naseem Hussain of Howrah lodged a complaint after Chaudhary falsely claimed the chemicals were stolen.
Fatuha SDPO-1 Awdhesh Kumar stated, “Contradictions in the driver’s statements prompted further investigation. Following technical evidence and intensive interrogation, Chaudhary admitted he staged the theft to profit from illegally selling the naphtha in Fatuha’s industrial area.”
Following Chaudhary’s identification, police conducted raids in Fatuha Industrial Area and arrested Amit Kumar Prasad of Siwan and Shambhu Kumar of Parsa Bazar, Patna. Authorities recovered two pickup vehicles loaded with 2,400 litres of naphtha stored in 12 drums, along with a car used in the operation and three mobile phones.
Naphtha is a highly flammable petrochemical used in paints, nail polish, thinners, plastics, high-grade fuels, and industrial cleaning solvents, making this theft a potentially serious public safety risk. Police continue to investigate to trace further distribution channels.
