Guwahati, Sept 10: A senior Assam Police officer has landed behind bars for allegedly helping a crude oil theft gang operating in Golaghat district.
Sarupathar Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Dipen Patar was arrested after investigators reportedly found evidence linking him to the racket in Uriamghat.
Patar is being questioned at Sarupathar Police Station by Golaghat Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) John Das.
Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnil Deka said the gang allegedly stole crude oil by puncturing an ONGC pipeline. A case was registered on August 3, 2026, and four people were arrested earlier.
Their interrogation led police to Patar. Investigators reportedly found technical evidence against him and indications that he had received money from the suspected network.
Patar’s arrest has taken the number of accused held in the case to five, including a woman.
Police suspect that the racket involved several people from Sarupathar and individuals allegedly associated with ONGC.
The stolen crude oil was allegedly transported from Sarupathar to West Bengal. Golaghat Police may now expand the probe to West Bengal to uncover the wider network.
Deka said the investigation is continuing and more arrests are likely.
