Pokhara, December 3

District Court Kaski today released a black marketer of fuel on bail.

A single bench of judge Narishwar Bhandari ordered that Sharan Tamang be released on bail of Rs 25,000. Earlier, police had held him acting on a tip off that he was fleecing consumers by charging more.

Tamang from Panchthar was operating a hotel in Lake Side. He was arrested with 65 litres petrol and 800 litres diesel from the premises of his hotel one week ago. Police also seized Rs 12,000 that he had collected from buyers.

Following his arrest, police had pressed a public offence and black-marketing charge through the office of district attorney yesterday.

As per the law, anyone involved in black-marketing is liable to face up to 10 years’ imprisonment. The seized commodities are then sold at the current market price and the money that comes from the sale is deposited in government accounts.

According to Dinbandhu Baral, the court registrar, three groups arrested earlier on the same charge were also released on bail.

The border blockade has created severe shortage of petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas. There are also cases of security personnel being held for black-marketing in the district.

“Fuel is scarce, but if you want to pay more, you can get it in the bazaar,” said Consumer Forum Kaski Chairperson Kapilnath Koirala.