IllegalLPG – Man Arrested in Delhi for Unauthorized Cylinder Sales
IllegalLPG – A man has been taken into custody in southeast Delhi after police uncovered an alleged illegal trade involving domestic gas cylinders in the Jamia Nagar area
Police officials confirmed on Tuesday that 62 LPG cylinders were seized during the operation. The accused, identified as Shahnawaz, is a resident of Jamia Nagar and is suspected of running an unauthorized supply chain to sell cylinders locally without proper approval.
Arrest During Routine Patrol
The arrest was made during a routine patrol carried out by local police on Monday. Officers reached Gali No. 39 near Yamuna Pusta when they noticed a man standing beside a vehicle loaded with gas cylinders. The situation appeared unusual, prompting the police to question him.
When asked to provide documents or a licence authorizing the sale of LPG cylinders, the individual was unable to produce any valid paperwork. This raised suspicion, leading officers to inspect the vehicle.
Large Quantity of Cylinders Seized
Upon checking the vehicle, police recovered a total of 62 LPG cylinders. Out of these, 48 were filled while the remaining 14 had already been used. Officials stated that the scale of the operation indicated a structured attempt to distribute cylinders outside legal channels.
Authorities believe that such activities not only violate regulations but may also pose safety risks, as handling and transporting LPG cylinders require adherence to strict safety guidelines.
Accused Admits to Illegal Sales
During initial questioning, Shahnawaz reportedly admitted to selling LPG cylinders directly to residents in the area without issuing any receipts. Investigators say this method allowed him to avoid documentation and generate higher profits.
He also disclosed that he was not working alone. According to his statement, another individual named Mukesh was involved in arranging the supply of cylinders. Police suspect that the operation had been running for at least two months.
Supply Chain Linked to Uttar Pradesh
Further investigation revealed that the cylinders were allegedly sourced from near a gas agency in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. The accused told police that the cylinders were loaded onto vehicles at a secluded spot before being transported to Delhi.
Officials believe this method was used to avoid detection while moving large quantities across state lines. The cylinders were then sold in Jamia Nagar at prices higher than the regulated rates.
Previous Consignment Sold at High Prices
The accused also informed police that just a day before his arrest, he had transported around 70 cylinders from Uttar Pradesh with the help of his associate. Most of these cylinders were reportedly sold quickly in the local market.
Authorities are now trying to track down Mukesh, who is believed to be a key figure in arranging the supply. Police teams have been deployed to locate him, and further investigation is ongoing.
Legal Action Initiated
A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Essential Commodities Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Jamia Nagar police station. Officials stated that strict action will be taken against those involved in illegal distribution of essential resources.
Similar Racket Busted Earlier
In a separate incident earlier this week, police uncovered another illegal LPG storage operation in Mundka. During that raid, authorities recovered 610 cylinders from a godown.
Initial findings suggested discrepancies in stock records. According to company data, there should have been no commercial cylinders in stock as of March 10, yet over a hundred filled cylinders were found during inspection.
Ongoing Crackdown on Illegal Distribution
Police officials have emphasized that illegal sale and storage of LPG cylinders is a serious offence. Such activities not only disrupt regulated supply systems but also create potential hazards for public safety.
Authorities have urged residents to purchase LPG cylinders only from authorized distributors and to report any suspicious activity in their locality.