The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has expressed displeasure over the investigations into dispensing of lesser quantity of petrol and diesel at fuel stations here by using electronic chips.
The court has handed over the probe to the Superintendent of Police (North) and directed the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure installation of devices capable of preventing malpractices.
The bench of justice A R Masoodi directed the state government to implement the order in consultation with oil companies within a time frame of not later than four months.
The court said that the procedure adopted by the investigating officer was not free from doubt and instead of simplifying the manner of probe, the IO had rather complicated it under the directions of the executive magistrate which causes a serious concern.
Irked over giving leverage to the state government employees and oil companies officials in the alleged misdoings, the court said the UP chief secretary had not come up with a clean stand to help the cause and public suffering.
The bench was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by petrol pump owners challenging different orders of the lower court.
In the course of hearing, the court came across that the investigation was not up to the mark and the charge sheet was forwarded only on the basis of oral evidence of some witnesses and recovery memo of electronic chips.
It found that the stock of fuel at the pumps was not verified nor was the quality tested which could lead to accusation of the state government employees and oil companies officials.
Considering the circumstances of the case at hand, the court directed that SP City (North) to take up probe from the IO and conduct further investigation with the assistance of the district judge.
It also said that in case the state government employees or oil companies officials are found at wrong side of their duty and booked, the state government would grant prosecution sanction within three months.
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