LPG pilferage racket busted in Sambhajinagar
A state-level flying squad, along with district officials, has busted an alleged LPG pilferage racket in Maharashtra’s Sambhajinagar district, seizing gas and equipment worth Rs 1.26 crore.
The raid was conducted around 9:45 pm on Thursday at an open plot near Hotel Saiyash on Vaijapur Road in Gangapur taluka. Officials recovered nearly 35,220 kg of LPG—enough to meet the needs of about 2,480 households—along with two tanker capsules and other equipment used in the illegal operation.
Two tanker drivers were caught on the spot, while a total of four individuals have been booked. Of them, two have been arrested so far.
Also Read: India looks to turn LPG import crisis into push for piped gas
Commissioner of Police Pravin Patil said the racket is suspected to have diverted LPG meant for industrial use into the black market for profit.
The operation followed a tip-off received by Chandrakant Dange, Controller of Rationing and Director of Civil Supplies. Sources said departmental teams had been tracking two LPG tankers from Trombay in Mumbai and kept them under surveillance before zeroing in on the location.
Officials said that upon reaching the site under cover of darkness, the team found LPG being siphoned directly from the tankers into commercial cylinders using rubber pipes fitted with four-way valves. The activity was being carried out in an open and hazardous manner, posing a serious threat to life and property, they added.
The seizure included two LPG tankers valued at over Rs 1.05 crore, 17 filled commercial cylinders, six empty cylinders, and several domestic and small cylinders. Equipment used for the illegal transfer, including specialised rubber pipes and valve systems, was also confiscated.
An FIR has been registered at MIDC Waluj police station against tanker drivers Shrikrishna Dahiphale and Miraj Mohammed Jaish Khan, businessman Mahesh Thorat, and tanker owner Shreehar Chhedi under provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000. The investigation is being led by sub-inspector Pravin Patharkar.
Also Read: No LPG shortage, supply steady at 28 lakh cylinders daily: Indian Oil
In a related development, the local crime branch of Ahilyanagar police had earlier busted a similar illegal LPG refilling racket in Kamargaon on March 23, arresting four persons and seizing three tanker capsules along with materials worth ₹2.01 crore.
The two arrested drivers were produced before a court on Friday and have been remanded to police custody for three days, till April 5.
(With inputs from TOI)
The raid was conducted around 9:45 pm on Thursday at an open plot near Hotel Saiyash on Vaijapur Road in Gangapur taluka. Officials recovered nearly 35,220 kg of LPG—enough to meet the needs of about 2,480 households—along with two tanker capsules and other equipment used in the illegal operation.
Two tanker drivers were caught on the spot, while a total of four individuals have been booked. Of them, two have been arrested so far.
Also Read: India looks to turn LPG import crisis into push for piped gas
Commissioner of Police Pravin Patil said the racket is suspected to have diverted LPG meant for industrial use into the black market for profit.
The operation followed a tip-off received by Chandrakant Dange, Controller of Rationing and Director of Civil Supplies. Sources said departmental teams had been tracking two LPG tankers from Trombay in Mumbai and kept them under surveillance before zeroing in on the location.
Officials said that upon reaching the site under cover of darkness, the team found LPG being siphoned directly from the tankers into commercial cylinders using rubber pipes fitted with four-way valves. The activity was being carried out in an open and hazardous manner, posing a serious threat to life and property, they added.
The seizure included two LPG tankers valued at over Rs 1.05 crore, 17 filled commercial cylinders, six empty cylinders, and several domestic and small cylinders. Equipment used for the illegal transfer, including specialised rubber pipes and valve systems, was also confiscated.
An FIR has been registered at MIDC Waluj police station against tanker drivers Shrikrishna Dahiphale and Miraj Mohammed Jaish Khan, businessman Mahesh Thorat, and tanker owner Shreehar Chhedi under provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000. The investigation is being led by sub-inspector Pravin Patharkar.
Also Read: No LPG shortage, supply steady at 28 lakh cylinders daily: Indian Oil
In a related development, the local crime branch of Ahilyanagar police had earlier busted a similar illegal LPG refilling racket in Kamargaon on March 23, arresting four persons and seizing three tanker capsules along with materials worth ₹2.01 crore.
The two arrested drivers were produced before a court on Friday and have been remanded to police custody for three days, till April 5.
(With inputs from TOI)
