SC for probe into diesel adulteration

The Supreme Court has asked the Delhi Police commissioner to probe into allegations that the diesel sold at retail outlets of the leading petroleum companies in the national capital territory was adulterated.

The order was passed by a Bench comprising Chief Justice VN Khare, Justice YK Sabharwal and Justice Arijit Pasayat yesterday. The Bench was not satisfied with the response of the petroleum companies""Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil Corporation.

Amicus curiae Harish Salve had brought to the court's notice an article published in the magazine Down to Earth giving photographic evidence of diesel being pilfered from oil tankers and then replenished with chlorine, kerosene or even dry cleaning agents.

Treating the photographs and the report as an interim application moved by the amicus curiae, the court had on November 24, 2003 issued notices to both the oil companies asking for their response.

Both the firms had initially asserted that they were supplying fuel through tamper-proof tankers but later said they were investigating into the matter.

The apex court observed that the companies on one hand were claiming that the fuel supplied through their dealers were pure but on the other there were these evidence about theft and adulteration of fuel.

In an another order, the apex court asked the Delhi government to set up five more courts as requested by the high court to deal with an anticipated 5,500 cases a year relating to power thefts and asked it to appoint officers for inspection of premises suspected of stealing power.