Illegal LPG refilling racket busted in Chakan; 3 arrested, goods worth ₹49 lakh seized

Police carried out the action on March 31 at a parking area near an Indian Oil gas facility along the Chakan–Shikrapur road under the jurisdiction of Chakan North police station

Chakan police busted an illegal LPG refilling racket operating in Bhose village and arrested three persons, seizing goods worth ₹49.57 lakh, officials said on Wednesday.

The accused have been identified as tanker driver Ambadas Gade from Chembur in Mumbai, and Akshay Mungse and Navnath Hojge, both residents of Khed in Pune district. (HT)

Police carried out the action on March 31 at a parking area near an Indian Oil gas facility along the Chakan–Shikrapur road under the jurisdiction of Chakan North police station.

The accused have been identified as tanker driver Ambadas Gade from Chembur in Mumbai, and Akshay Mungse and Navnath Hojge, both residents of Khed in Pune district.

According to the police, the trio was caught red-handed illegally transferring gas from a tanker into domestic cylinders using an unauthorised nozzle system.

Police sub-inspector Chandrashekhar Morkhande said the activity posed a serious risk. “The accused were refilling domestic LPG cylinders without permission or safety measures, posing a threat of fire or explosion. Timely intervention helped avert a major accident,” he said.

Police said the illegal operation, which was being carried out close to a fuel station and an Indian Oil facility, increased the potential danger.

During the raid, the police team seized cylinders, tanker equipment and other materials collectively valued at ₹49.57 lakh. The accused were taken into custody and further investigation is underway to identify other possible links in the racket.

A case was registered at the Chakan North police station under sections 303(2), 318(4), 125, 287 and 288 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act.