New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) In a major breakthrough, the AGS/Crime Branch of Delhi Police, acting on specific and credible intelligence, carried out coordinated raids at multiple locations in the Palam and Dwarka areas, uncovering a large-scale illegal operation involving the unauthorised storage and refilling of LPG cylinders, officials said on Thursday.The crackdown resulted in the recovery of 137 LPG cylinders along with refilling equipment, exposing serious violations of safety norms and regulatory guidelines. Officials said the operation points to a deliberate misuse of the LPG distribution system.Keeping in view the prevailing circumstances, and as a preventive step against hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders, a dedicated team was constituted to identify and apprehend those involved in such activities.

The team comprised Inspector Krishan Kumar, along with Sub-Inspectors Narender Kumar and Agam Prasad; Assistant Sub-Inspectors Surender, Mintu, and Deepak; Head Constable Shyam Sunder; and Constable Dheeraj. The operation was carried out under the close supervision of ACP Bhagwati Prasad, ACP/AGS, and overall supervision of IPS officer Harsh Indora, DCP/Crime Branch.Following sustained groundwork, specific and credible secret information was received regarding hoarding and illegal refilling of LPG cylinders in the Dwarka and Palam areas of Delhi.Acting on the input, a raiding team was formed, and a search operation was conducted at JJ Colony, Sector-7, Dwarka. During the raid, 77 LPG cylinders were found stored at the premises. Some cylinders were also discovered loaded in vehicles present at the spot.

The following persons, all residents of Delhi, were found present along with their vehicles -- Arjun (45), a resident of Bagdola; Surajpal Pandey (42), resident of Raj Nagar-II, Palam Colony; Amarjeet Kumar (28), resident of Raj Nagar-II, Palam Colony; Prempal Singh (52), resident of Raj Nagar-II, Palam Colony; Sukh Ram (48), resident of Goyla Dairy, Kutub Vihar Phase-1; and Vikram (42), resident of Dada Dev Road, Dev Kunj, Palam.When questioned about the possession of such a large number of LPG cylinders, they failed to produce any valid documents or a satisfactory explanation. Subsequent interrogation led to further raids at two additional locations.In a second recovery, 25 LPG cylinders were seized from a tempo parked near the premises. The owner of the vehicle, Malkhan (59), a resident of Sector-7, Dwarka, was found present at the spot.

A third recovery led to the seizure of 35 LPG cylinders from premises in Gali No. 6, near Bachpan Play School, Dev Kunj, Raj Nagar-II, Palam Colony, where the cylinders were stocked in an open area adjoining a house.At this location, the following persons were found present: Raju Rai, a resident of Manglapuri Phase-II; Chander Pal, a resident of Palam Dada Dev Road; Bablu, a resident of Goyla Dairy; and Sujeet Kumar, a resident of Shyam Vihar Phase-1.Considering the scale of the recovery, the Food and Supply Officer (FSO), Palam-Dwarka, was informed and called to the spot. The official stated that such accumulation of LPG cylinders is not authorised without proper permission. In his presence, all the recovered cylinders were seized. The FSO subsequently informed the Senior Manager (LPGS), New Delhi and South-West District, and the case property was handed over to Shivam Jain, Senior Manager (LPGS).

All the accused persons have been apprehended. Investigations revealed that they were illegally storing domestic LPG cylinders for black market purposes and were involved in unauthorised refilling and tampering of cylinders, officials said.A case has been registered at the Crime Branch police station under Sections 125/3(5) of the BNS and Section 3/7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.During interrogation, it emerged that the accused had procured LPG cylinders from a gas agency, but instead of delivering them as per the assigned targets, they diverted and stored them illegally at the identified premises. They maintained an unauthorised stock and used illegal equipment to transfer gas from filled cylinders into empty ones, which were then sold in the open market for unlawful gains.Further investigation into the matter is currently underway.

/IANS