NSA Action To Be Considered Against Oil Pipeline Theft Accused; Four Mathura Police Officers Honoured

Mathura: Police in Mathura have warned of strict action against organised gangs involved in stealing oil from underground pipelines passing through the district. Those found damaging pipelines or engaging in oil theft could also face action under the National Security Act (NSA).

The announcement came during a district-level coordination meeting held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shlok Kumar. Police officials and representatives of oil companies discussed ways to strengthen pipeline surveillance, improve security arrangements and enhance coordination.

Police and Oil Companies to Strengthen Coordination

Representatives of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) raised concerns regarding the security of underground oil pipelines.

The SSP said incidents of oil theft and damage to pipeline infrastructure would be treated seriously, with immediate police action following any such report. Both sides also agreed to ensure faster information-sharing and closer monitoring of suspicious activities along pipeline routes.

Why Did Indian Oil Honour Mathura Police Officers?

During the meeting, Sharad Agrawal, Chief General Manager and Regional Head of Indian Oil Corporation’s Northern Region Pipelines, praised Mathura Police for its action in the September 2023 case involving oil theft from the SMPL pipeline.

He highlighted the police action in attaching property worth approximately ₹19 crore belonging to the prime accused. According to Agrawal, the action demonstrated the importance of targeting the financial assets of organised oil theft networks and could serve as an example for efforts to prevent similar crimes elsewhere in the country.

Four Officers Receive Commendation Certificates

In recognition of the police action, Indian Oil Corporation presented commendation certificates to four officers: SSP Shlok Kumar, SP City Rajiv Kumar Singh, Refinery Circle Officer Praveen Kumar Tiwari, and Chhote Lal, the then station house officer of Farah police station, who is currently posted as Station House Officer of Jaint police station.

Oil company representatives appreciated the police team's efforts, stating that such enforcement measures could strengthen pipeline security and send a strong message to organised groups involved in fuel theft.

The meeting was attended by representatives of various oil companies, including BP Poddar, Praveen Kumar, TM Shivakumar, Pushp Raj Patel, Nitin Agrawal, Yogendra Sharma, Ankur Chauhan and Vipin Yadav.