Patna, Sep 8 (IANS): A Bihar lawmker was allegedly cheated by a fuel station in East Champaran district, who pumped in water instead of diesel in his vehicle.

Virendra Prasad Gupta, the CPI-ML-L MLA of Sikta constituency in East Champaran district, said that he was on the way to Patna, and during journey, had filled 51 litres diesel in his SUV from a fuel station in Bathna village on NH 28.

"When I travelled around half a km from the place, my SUV stopped. My driver, gunner, and secretary, who were also travelling with me, inspected the vehicle in a bid to ascertain the error. As they failed to detect it, we called a local mechanic for inspection. He inspected the engine and found its condition normal. When he checked the fuel tank, he discovered water in it," Gupta said.

"The tank was full of water. I immediately informed the local Mehsi police station about the cheating," he said.

Mehsi SHO Sunil Kumar said: "We have received a written complaint from Virendra Gupta. He has also submitted the receipt of the fuel. We have registered an FIR against the owner, manager and employees of the fuel station."

"The sample has been taken from the SUV and sent to a lab and a petroleum company. We have also informed the Petroleum Department to take strong action against the fuel station and its owner," he added.