Hyderabad Police Uncover Illegal LPG Hoarding Scheme, Arrest 10
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Hyderabad, March 30 (NationPress) In the wake of a persistent LPG shortage sparked by the Gulf war, the Hyderabad Police launched an operation on Monday that led to the dismantling of an unlawful LPG cylinder hoarding scheme. This operation resulted in the apprehension of 10 individuals and the confiscation of 414 cylinders concealed in a graveyard.
The operation was executed by the Hyderabad Commissioner’s Task Force in collaboration with the Banjara Hills Police.
As per Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar, the suspects were engaged in the illegal hoarding of 414 LPG cylinders at a graveyard in Banjara Hills, intending to sell them at inflated prices for illicit profits.
In total, assets valued at Rs 21.88 lakh, which includes 11 transport vehicles, have been confiscated from the suspects. “We are dedicated to safeguarding public welfare and will impose strict measures against those involved in illegal hoarding and black market operations,” the Commissioner stated on X.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath, disclosed the details of the operation during a press briefing.
The suspects had unlawfully stored HP cylinders at a graveyard situated near Nagarjuna X Road, Banjara Hills, and were selling them to desperate customers at exorbitant prices.
The detainees include a gas supplier, three gas delivery personnel, two drivers, and several laborers.
The confiscated cylinders comprise 30 full cylinders of 47 kgs, 148 full cylinders of 19 kgs, 192 empty cylinders of 19 kgs, 35 full cylinders of 5 kgs, and 9 cylinders of 5 kgs.
The vehicles seized include two DCMs, two Bolleros, one Tata Ace, one Tata, four Piaggio auto vehicles, and a Tata Magic.
According to police reports, the main suspect, Mohd. Aamir, operates a licensed HP gas agency known as “Metro Gas Agency”, located in Mamidipalle Village, Shamshabad, with its office near Afzalgunj, Hyderabad.
Investigations revealed that the suspects have been unlawfully dumping HP gas cylinders at a graveyard close to Nagarjuna X Road, Banjara Hills, with assistance from laborers, blatantly disregarding established rules and regulations. Furthermore, they have been selling these cylinders to customers at inflated prices, thereby exploiting the public for personal gain, noted the DCP.
Other individuals arrested include Mohd. Yousuf, Mohd. Ismail, A. Rama Rao, Lok Kumar, Mohd. Sakruddin, Mohd. Muntaz Ansari, Mohd. Minaj Ansari, Rajesh Pal, and Ram Raj Singh.