The Pimpri-Chinchwad crime branch on June 2 busted an unauthorised gas refilling operation in Chakan, and seized 81 domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders along with equipment used for the illicit business. A 31-year-old man was arrested and a juvenile was detained during the operation carried out in Kharabwadi, Khed taluka.
According to the police, the crime branch received a tip-off about an illegal gas refilling unit operating out of a commercial establishment identified as ‘Jay Ganesh Bharat Gas’ on the Chakan-Mahalunge road, opposite the Hanuman temple. Acting on the tip-off, a police team raided the premises and allegedly caught the suspects transferring LPG from domestic cylinders for unauthorised sale and distribution. During the raid, the police recovered 81 domestic LPG cylinders collectively valued at around ₹1 lakh. Authorities said that the gas-filling operation was being carried out without any valid licence or safety permissions, and posed a serious threat to public safety because LPG is highly inflammable and improper handling can trigger devastating fires or explosions.
Investigators suspect that the accused was procuring subsidised domestic LPG cylinders and using them for commercial purposes to earn illegal profits. Such practices not only violate provisions of the Essential Commodities Act but also disrupt the supply chain meant for household consumers. The police are examining the source of the cylinders, and whether a larger network of suppliers and buyers is involved.
A case has been registered against the arrested accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Essential Commodities Act, and other applicable laws. The juvenile has been produced before the appropriate authority, while further investigation is underway to identify other persons connected to the racket and trace the supply chain of the seized cylinders.
{{/usCountry}}A case has been registered against the arrested accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Essential Commodities Act, and other applicable laws. The juvenile has been produced before the appropriate authority, while further investigation is underway to identify other persons connected to the racket and trace the supply chain of the seized cylinders.
{{/usCountry}}Officials said that illegal LPG refilling has emerged as a recurring challenge in Pune district’s industrial belt, particularly in and around Chakan, where demand for commercial gas remains high. Previous police actions in the region have uncovered similar rackets involving the transfer of LPG from tankers or domestic cylinders into commercial cylinders for resale at inflated rates. Authorities have repeatedly warned that these activities create severe fire and explosion hazards.