Pune: In a crackdown on illegal LPG gas distribution, the Loni Kalbhor Police, in coordination with the Pune Crime Branch, arrested a man involved in the black marketing of domestic LPG gas cylinders. The accused was illegally transferring gas from domestic cylinders into private company cylinders using a nozzle, endangering public safety. The police seized goods worth ₹2,24,450 during the operation.
Acting on a tip-off, the police learned that a suspect was illegally refilling gas in a cowshed behind Sai Srushti Building in Loni Kalbhor. The accused was allegedly extracting gas from domestic and commercial LPG cylinders and refilling it into private company cylinders for resale.
Following this intelligence, a joint team from the Crime Branch, Loni Kalbhor Police, and Tehsil Office raided the location on Wednesday, March 12, at 1:30 PM. The accused, Madan Madhav Bamane (20), a resident near Mahadev Temple in Loni Kalbhor, was caught red-handed in the act of transferring gas using a hazardous setup.
The police seized a total of 137 gas cylinders of various sizes and brands, along with gas transfer equipment. The total value of the confiscated items stands at ₹2,24,450.
Dangerous Practice Posed Serious Risks
This illegal activity posed a serious risk, as unauthorized gas transfer can lead to explosions and fire hazards. Authorities have warned that such black-market operations not only violate safety regulations but also create shortages for genuine consumers.
Police Seize Large Quantity of Gas Cylinders and Equipment
During the raid, the police confiscated:
11 commercial LPG cylinders (Hindustan Petroleum)
7 domestic LPG cylinders (Indane)
9 empty domestic LPG cylinders (Pushpa Gas Company)
21 domestic LPG cylinders (Hindustan Petroleum)
21 empty domestic LPG cylinders (Hindustan Petroleum)
6 domestic LPG cylinders (Reliance Gas)
2 small LPG cylinders (Hindustan Petroleum)
86 various-sized LPG cylinders from private companies
Gas transfer equipment, including nozzles, regulator pipes, and an electronic weighing machine