Amid the escalating LPG crisis, ten persons on Monday were arrested for allegedly selling commercial gas cylinders in Hyderabad at exorbitant rates. The police officials said that a total of 414 cylinders were seized from their possession.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Task Force) Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath said in a release that, based on credible information, the Commissioner`s Task Force apprehended 10 persons who were illegally selling the gas cylinders to needy customers at a high rate.
Police further said that the prime accused was running a gas agency, and it was found that he had been illegally dumping gas cylinders in Banjara Hills, with the help of labourers, in violation of the prescribed rules and regulations.
414 gas cylinders seized in Hyderabad
Further, the accused has been selling these gas cylinders to customers at inflated prices, thereby exploiting the public for wrongful gain, police added.
A total of 414 gas cylinders (213 full and 201 empty), besides 11 vehicles, were seized from the possession of the accused, police added.
Mumbai Police book hotel owner, manager for illegal use of domestic LPG cylinders
In a different scenario in Mumbai, Mumbai Police have booked a hotel owner and his manager for alleged illegal use of domestic LPG cylinders, officials said, reported the PTI.
According to the police, an FIR has been registered against two individuals for allegedly storing and using domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes at a hotel in Kalbadevi.
The LT Marg Police said that the suspects who have been identified as Harish Mehta and Prakash Purohit have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Essential Commodities Act, the news agency reported.
The matter came to light after a rationing officer conducted a raid at Laxmi Vilas Hindu Hotel. During the inspection, officials found that domestic LPG cylinders, meant for household use, were being used in the hotel kitchen without proper authorisation or licence.
Police said that one empty cylinder was recovered from the premises, while another filled cylinder had already been seized earlier and deposited at the police station.
Manager and owner booked
The hotel manager, identified as Prakash Hansaram Purohit (28), failed to produce valid documents for the use of the cylinders. The hotel owner, Harish Mehta, has also been named in the case for alleged involvement.