The government of Bangladesh has decided to deploy mobile courts across the country to prevent illegal hoarding and overpricing of fuel. The decision follows reports of artificial fuel shortages and public unrest, including long queues and incidents of vandalism at petrol pumps. The directive was issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md Enamul Haque. It has already been sent to all district commissioners.

According to the directive, some unscrupulous traders have been stockpiling fuel illegally to create an artificial crisis amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The government has already set limits on fuel sales per vehicle to manage the situation. Reports have also surfaced of fuel being sold above government-fixed prices, hoarded for extra profit, or diverted to the open market and smuggling routes.

The ministry has instructed district administrations to strengthen field-level monitoring through mobile courts to stop illegal storage, overpricing, open-market sales, and potential smuggling of fuel. Copies of the directive were also sent to the Home Ministry, the Cabinet Division, and relevant energy officials.