Vadodara Man Arrested in ₹4.48 Crore IOCL Crude Oil Theft Case
Rajasthan SOG says nearly 8 lakh litres of crude were siphoned from an underground IOCL pipeline in a 36-tanker operation
The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) has arrested a 56-year-old man from Vadodara, Gujarat, in connection with one of the country’s biggest recent crude oil pipeline thefts involving Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL). The accused, identified as Jayesh Bhai alias Modi alias Raju, is alleged to be part of a network that siphoned nearly 8 lakh litres of crude oil worth ₹4.48 crore from an underground pipeline in Rajasthan.
The latest arrest takes the total number of accused arrested in the case to 11, as investigators continue to unravel the logistics and commercial network behind the organised fuel theft.
How the theft was carried out
According to the SOG, the theft was discovered in April 2025 after IOCL officials detected tampering on the Salaya–Mathura Pipeline (SMPL-24) near Nasoon village in Beawar district, Rajasthan.
Investigators say the gang:
- Drilled into the underground crude oil pipeline.
- Installed an illegal valve on the live pipeline.
- Connected iron and high-pressure plastic pipes through flanges.
- Diverted crude oil into tanker trucks at a concealed location.
The stolen quantity is estimated at 8 lakh litres, equivalent to approximately 36 tanker loads of crude oil.
A highly organised operation
This was far more than a case of simple pipeline pilferage. Investigators believe the accused created a sophisticated underground extraction system designed to avoid detection.
Earlier findings indicate that an underground trench stretching nearly 285 metres was used to conceal the connected piping, allowing crude oil to be transported away from the main pipeline before being loaded into tankers.
The scale of engineering involved suggests careful planning, technical knowledge and coordinated logistics.
How investigators tracked the accused
The Rajasthan SOG deployed forensic and cyber investigation teams immediately after the complaint was registered.
Evidence collected included:
- Forensic examination of the pipeline site
- Fingerprint and footprint analysis
- CCTV and technical surveillance inputs
- Mobile tower (BTS) analysis
- Call Detail Record (CDR) mapping
The technical analysis eventually led investigators to Vadodara, where Jayesh Bhai was arrested. A local court has remanded him to seven days of police custody for further interrogation.
Why this case matters
The Salaya–Mathura Pipeline is one of IndianOil’s critical crude transportation corridors, carrying crude from Gujarat to major refineries in northern India. Any illegal intervention in such a high-pressure pipeline poses not only a financial loss but also significant fire, environmental and public safety risks.
Investigators are now focusing on identifying the complete supply chain—from those who engineered the illegal pipeline connection to the transporters and buyers who allegedly profited from the stolen crude.
Legal note: The allegations are based on the Rajasthan SOG investigation. All accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
