New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) The Delhi Police Crime Branch on Wednesday busted an illegal LPG cylinder storage and refilling racket in the Dabri area of the national Capital, recovering 17 domestic gas cylinders of multiple companies.

Acting on specific and credible Intelligence, officials carried out a coordinated raid at a shop in Seetapuri, where an unauthorised operation involving the storage and refilling of LPG cylinders was being run. The raid led to the seizure of 17 cylinders, including five of Bharat Petroleum, five of Hindustan Petroleum, and seven of Indane Gas.

The operation comes amid concerns over a perceived shortage of LPG, despite repeated assurances from authorities that there is no actual supply crisis. In view of such concerns, a dedicated team was constituted to identify and act against hoarders and black marketers.

The team, led by Inspector Anil Malik and comprising Sub-Inspectors Dharmendra and Mohit Batan, Assistant Sub-Inspector Joginder, Head Constables Harpal and Dileep, and Woman Head Constable Anita, operated under the supervision of ACP Raj Kumar and DCP (Crime Branch) Harsh Indora.

Following sustained groundwork, the team received specific inputs about illegal hoarding of LPG cylinders in the Seetapuri area. Acting promptly, they conducted a well-planned raid at the location and found the shop owner, Mohan Lal Garg (61), engaged in illegal refilling activities.

According to officials, the accused had been refilling LPG cylinders and selling gas at an inflated rate of Rs 200 per kilogram. He had allegedly accumulated a large number of domestic LPG cylinders within his shop without any valid authorisation, violating established safety norms and legal provisions.

The Food Supply Officer, Harjeet Kaur, was immediately called to the spot and initiated necessary action as per prescribed procedures. The seized cylinders were later handed over to the local police at Dabri police station.

A case has been registered under FIR No. 209/2026 at Police Station Dabri under Sections 287 and 288 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act. Further investigation into the case is underway.

Police said the accused had been running the illegal operation in a planned and systematic manner, disguising the stock as part of regular business inventory to avoid suspicion. The racket was aimed at exploiting consumers by selling LPG at higher-than-regulated rates for unlawful profit.

Officials stated that the action reflects the continued efforts of the Delhi Police to curb illegal activities such as hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities, particularly LPG cylinders. They added that such operations are crucial in ensuring fair distribution and preventing artificial scarcity.

–IANS

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