Officers of the Department of Food and Civil Supplies, with police in tow, raided a godown in Hoige Bazar and confiscated 1,855 litres of kerosene, which was meant to be sold to fishermen at subsidised price.
Police are looking for owner of the godown Damodar Karkera, who is absconding. He was arrested for the same offence last year. Following a raid yesterday, the police kept a vigil outside the godown overnight. As the owner did not turn up, the personnel broke open the godown on Thursday morning.
Deputy Director, Food and Civil Supplies, C.S. Sharanabasappa said the kerosene was stocked in seven barrels and several cans.
Deputy Commissioner N. Prakash will decide on routing the seized kerosene to the public distribution system. Assistant Director Suresh Kumar has filed a complaint before the Mangalore South police against Karkera for violating provisions of the Essential Commodities Act.
