Allegations of fraudulent blending and supply of low-quality, adulterated octane from fuel pumps across the greater Khulna region—sourced from the Daulatpur oil depot—have escalated dramatically, leaving thousands of motorcyclists in severe distress.
 
Already grappling with high fuel prices, bikers now face frequent mechanical breakdowns, reduced mileage, and severe rusting inside fuel tanks, compounding their misery.
 
According to insider reports, a dishonest syndicate involving certain officials from three state-owned oil companies named Padma, Meghna and Jamuna oil company operating at the Daulatpur depot is allegedly adulterating octane directly inside the depot premises before dispatching it to filling stations.
 
DEPOT SYNDICATE LED BY DEPUTY MANAGER SADEKIN:
Reliable sources reveal that Abul Fazal Md. Sadekin, upon transferring from Baghabari to assume the role of Deputy Manager (Depot) at Jamuna Oil Company’s Daulatpur depot, allegedly formed a powerful syndicate. Under his direct oversight, the process of blending substandard substances into octane and supplying it to local pumps was reportedly fast-tracked.
 
Given that octane is priced Tk 5 higher per liter than petrol, the syndicate allegedly mixes 10 liters of petrol along with specific octane coloring elements into every 100 liters of octane inside the depot. In some instances, kerosene or contaminated condensate mixed with dyes and artificial octane fragrance is used as an adulterant instead of petrol. The remaining genuine octane saved through this 10% dilution is then siphoned off and sold illegally through black-market channels.
 
ILLEGAL FUEL OUTLETS ALONG THE HIGHWAY, CENTERED ON THE TRADE OF ADULTERATED AND STOLEN FUEL:
 
Numerous illegal fuel outlets have sprung up along both sides of the roads in Daulatpur and its surrounding areas, revolving around the trade of adulterated and stolen fuel. Since these activities take place outside the depot premises, the official in question manages to evade accountability by exploiting legal loopholes. Notably, during his previous tenure at Baghabari, there were similar allegations against him—specifically, that he led a syndicate involved in fuel theft and the sale of adulterated fuel.
 
OVERSIGHT GAPS AND BSSTI’S CONSTRAINTS:
Although, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSSTI) is mandated to conduct routine quality checks on petroleum products, questions remain over the frequency and authenticity of these inspections. It is alleged that whenever testing takes place, the syndicate cleverly presents pure, unadulterated samples to BSSTI officials for laboratory analysis, allowing the adulterated batches to evade scrutiny completely. Consequently, contaminated fuel continues to flow from the depot to pumps and ultimately into consumer vehicles, earning the syndicate millions of Taka in illicit profits.
 
A fuel pump owner in Khulna, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared a recent incident where angry motorcyclists attempted to assault an employee after purchasing octane sourced from the Padma and Jamuna depot. The situation was later brought under control by local residents. Inspections revealed that, the supplied octane possessed a pungent, abnormal odor and contained significant dirt and sediment.
 
Frustrated bikers complain that purchasing adulterated fuel not only defrauds them financially but also inflicts lasting damage on their high-value vehicles. Frequent engine malfunctions force them to make recurring visits to repair shops, resulting in unexpected expenses and lost time.
 
OFFICIAL RESPONSE:
Engineers Rahima Talukder, Divisional Director of BSSTI Khulna, acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, stating, “Following instructions under the current administration, BSSTI has been tasked with stricter oversight regarding fuel quality. However, uncooperative behavior from a powerful group (syndicate) involving Daulatpur depot authorities and local pump owners hinders our ability to carry out routine checks.”
 
She further highlighted infrastructural limitations: “We do not have a dedicated fuel testing laboratory in Khulna. As a result, samples must be collected and sent to our head office in Dhaka, which prevents us from conducting instant spot tests during surprise drives. Hence, the recent allegations of fuel adulteration cannot be ruled out.”
 
Efforts to reach Abul Fazal Md. Sadekin, Deputy Manager of Jamuna Oil Company at Daulatpur depot, for comments were unsuccessful as he did not answer multiple phone calls. Reports indicate that Sadekin faced similar allegations of syndicate operation, fuel theft, and adulteration during his previous tenure in Baghabari.