Sambalpur, May 12: Police in Odisha’s Sambalpur district busted an illegal LPG refilling and black marketing operation at Jujumura, seizing 62 LPG cylinders and a pick-up vehicle during a late-night raid.
According to authorities, the raid was conducted at a Rajasthani dhaba under Jujumura police limits after receiving reliable information about unlawful LPG activities.
One person, identified as 19-year-old Subash Bishnoi, was apprehended, while another accused was reported to be a child in conflict with law (CCL).
During the operation, police confiscated 40 commercial gas cylinders, 22 domestic cylinders, and a pick-up vehicle bearing registration number CG 07 BY 9238.
Preliminary investigations suggest the illegal operation had been running for the past three months under the supervision of an unlawful gas dealer, Giridhari Ramji, in collusion with dhaba owner Sohan. The accused reportedly siphoned LPG from loaded commercial cylinders into empty ones using pipes and other equipment.
Police said LPG-loaded trucks traveling from Paradip to Raipur and other areas would stop at the dhaba, where the gas was allegedly drained with the help of some drivers. Exploiting the ongoing LPG shortage, the refilled cylinders were then sold to nearby dhabas and hotels for profit.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Essential Commodities Act. Investigation is underway.
