UP STF cracked down on an illegal bitumen adulteration network in Kasganj, arresting six accused and seizing 64 tonnes of substandard tar. The racket caused severe damage to road infrastructure across multiple Uttar Pradesh districts.
UP STF arrests 6 in bitumen scam.
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UP STF) has unearthed a large-scale racket involved in the illegal adulteration and black marketing of petroleum products, specifically bitumen, used in road construction. In a major crackdown, the STF arrested six members of the gang from Kasganj district on Saturday.
According to STF officials, the gang was illegally extracting bitumen from tankers originating from the Mathura refinery. The stolen bitumen was then mixed with marble dust using industrial mixers to increase volume and maximize profits, severely compromising quality.
During the operation conducted near ATS School in Dholna police station area, the STF seized four tankers filled with adulterated bitumen, around 64 tonnes of tar, iron containers, 15 large drums, mixer machines, generators, 280 sacks of white marble powder, mobile phones, and cash.
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The adulterated bitumen was supplied to several districts including Mathura, Kasganj, Etah, Firozabad, Bareilly, and nearby regions. Officials said the substandard material led to rapid deterioration of roads, causing financial loss to the state and inconvenience to the public.
The arrested individuals include Chandrapal, Vikram, Jignesh, Umesh, Avnish Kumar, and Mahipal. STF is still searching for the main operators of the racket, including factory owner Pradeep alias Rana and three other absconding accused.
Experts confirmed that bitumen adulterated with marble dust lacks binding strength, resulting in weak road surfaces that get damaged even after light rainfall. Such practices undermine public infrastructure projects and pose serious safety risks.
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A case has been registered at Dholna police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Further investigation is underway to trace financial links and the full supply chain.
