Police have arrested three suspects after uncovering an illegal crude oil theft operation involving an underground tunnel. The discovery was made during an investigation into the theft of crude oil from an oil pipeline. Authorities reportedly found evidence of an organised operation in which criminals were using a hidden tunnel to access the pipeline and steal oil without immediate detection.
Police investigations revealed that the gang allegedly stole around 958,000 litres of crude oil, worth approximately 670 million Indian rupees (Rs 6.7 crore), between November 2024 and January 2025. The operation involved a 360-foot underground tunnel connected to an Indian Oil Corporation pipeline in the Shahjahanpur area of Rajasthan. Police said the suspects had also installed CCTV cameras and internet facilities to monitor the surrounding area and avoid detection.
The arrests are part of a wider investigation into an organised oil theft network. According to police, several suspects had already been arrested, while the latest arrest involved a trader accused of purchasing stolen crude oil at lower prices and selling it through illegal channels. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify other people involved in the operation and prevent further theft from oil pipelines.
