Delhi Police Uncovers Major Illegal LPG Scheme: 183 Cylinders Seized
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, March 25 (NationPress) In a significant operation against unlawful LPG activities, the Delhi Police Crime Branch (ANTF) has confiscated 183 Indane gas cylinders from various warehouses in Sangam Vihar, revealing a major hoarding and illegal refilling scheme. Four suspects, all registered delivery staff of a certified LPG provider, have been apprehended.
Based on specific and reliable intelligence, the Crime Branch executed synchronized raids at three rented locations in the L Block region of Sangam Vihar, South Delhi. The operation, overseen by ACP Satendra Mohan, led to the recovery of 154 filled and 29 empty cylinders along with refilling apparatus, highlighting serious breaches of safety protocols and regulatory standards.
The individuals arrested – Sher Singh (35), Suraj Parihar (36), Raghu Raj Singh (53), and Jitender Sharma (39) – were caught unlawfully storing cylinders designated for daily distribution and illicitly transferring LPG from filled to empty cylinders utilizing iron pipes, pokers, and weighing scales. The illegally filled cylinders were then sold in the open market at inflated prices, resulting in unjust profits.
“This operation underscores a clear abuse of the LPG distribution framework, taking advantage of the current public anxiety over cylinder shortages,” stated DCP/ANTF Rahool Alwal.
Items recovered from the raids included: First Premises: 58 filled and 7 empty cylinders; 2 iron pipes, 1 iron poker, and 1 electronic weighing scale (suspects: Sher Singh and Suraj Parihar)
Second Premises: 59 filled and 7 empty cylinders; 3 iron pipes, 1 iron poker, and 1 electronic weighing scale (suspect: Raghu Raj Singh)
Third Premises: 37 filled and 15 empty cylinders; 1 iron pipe, 1 iron poker, and 1 electronic weighing scale (suspect: Jitender Sharma)
The method involved carefully extracting 1–2 kg of LPG from each cylinder, which was subsequently transferred into empty cylinders before being sold to the public. All four individuals are registered delivery personnel of an authorized Indane LPG agency, tasked with distribution in Sangam Vihar.
A case has been filed under Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act and Section 125/3(5) BNS at the Crime Branch Police Station, with further investigation ongoing.
The Delhi Police have committed to continuing such initiatives to ensure the lawful distribution of essential goods and to protect residents from exploitation.