Two Satkhira Fuel Stations Fined for Hoarded Fuel Price Gouging

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SATKHIRA, Bangladesh — A mobile court in Satkhira district fined two fuel stations a total of BDT 30,000 (approximately $270 USD) on Sunday for selling petrol and diesel at inflated prices, defying a government directive to retail existing stock at pre-hike rates. The punitive actions underscore an ongoing crackdown by local authorities against price gouging following a recent fuel price adjustment.

AB Khan Filling Station was penalized BDT 20,000, while Lasker Filling Station received a BDT 10,000 fine. The separate raids were conducted around 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM local time.

The enforcement drive came after Deputy Commissioner Afroza Akther had instructed all 29 filling stations in the district to sell their existing fuel inventory at the previous government-set prices. New fuel deliveries from depots, however, were permitted to be sold at the newly declared higher rates.

Despite the directive, station operators across Satkhira began selling fuel at the increased prices from Sunday morning. When officials tasked with monitoring compliance attempted to intervene, owners temporarily halted sales across the district for approximately an hour. Sales soon resumed at the higher prices, prompting the district administration to launch targeted mobile court operations.

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As of Sunday morning, the district’s 29 filling stations collectively held an inventory of 101,432 liters of diesel, 54,485 liters of petrol, and 22,683 liters of octane, according to a daily fuel report from the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Assistant Commissioner Shahed Hossain confirmed that the filling stations were fined and warned for selling pre-existing stock at the elevated prices. He added that the district-wide enforcement campaign against such violations would continue.