50 LPG cylinders meant for black market seized in outer Delhi; father-son held
Accused diverted domestic cylinders, sold refilled gas at inflated prices
In a crackdown on illegal LPG trade, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police on Friday claimed to have busted a black-marketing syndicate operating in outer Delhi’s Rohini-Kanjhawla area, recovering 50 domestic gas cylinders and arresting two accused involved in hoarding and unauthorised refilling.
Acting on specific intelligence, a team of the Crime Branch conducted coordinated raids in Sukhbir Nagar and Rama Vihar areas, where the illegal operation was being run.
The accused have been identified as Kunwar Pal (55) and his son Pankaj Pal (21), both residents of Sukhbir Nagar.
Police said that out of the 50 Indane LPG cylinders recovered, 29 were filled while 21 were empty. A vehicle used for transportation and a weighing scale employed in the illegal refilling process were also seized from the spot.
According to officials, Kunwar Pal was an authorized delivery man associated with an LPG agency, with its registered godown in Nangloi.
Instead of delivering cylinders to consumers, he allegedly diverted stock and stored it illegally at his residence. During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused used unauthorized equipment to refill gas from filled cylinders into empty ones, which were then sold in the open market at inflated prices.
“The accused were exploiting the LPG distribution system and violating safety norms, posing a serious threat to public safety,” a senior police officer said.
A case has been registered under Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act and Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Crime Branch police station.
Further investigation is under way to ascertain the scale of the racket and identify other possible links.
Police said efforts are ongoing to determine whether more individuals or agencies were involved in the illegal supply chain.
