HAPUR: Uttar Pradesh Police busted the illegal storage of domestic gas cylinders in Hapur after conducting a raid at the residence of the accused on the night of March 11. According to the FIR, police recovered a large stock of supplies, including 18 filled Hindustan Petroleum (HP) Gas domestic cylinders and 14 empty cylinders, according to news agency ANI. During questioning, the accused reportedly confessed that he had been buying filled cylinders from various dealers and selling them to local consumers at a profit of Rs 20–30 per cylinder. He also claimed that he had been running the illegal trade for nearly a year. Police said the activity violated the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000. Such actions also amount to a violation of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and are punishable under Section 3/7 of the Act. Following the raid, the accused was taken into police custody. The FIR was registered under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) based on a written complaint filed by Supply Inspector Preeti. District Supply Officer Seema Baliyan said, “DM has formed teams in every tehsil, which are doing patrolling; action is being taken. Last night, around 9 pm, an incident came to light wherein an individual had kept 18 filled cylinders and 14 empty cylinders at his private residence. The department took immediate action, and all cylinders have been seized. Case has been registered.” She also says, “Domestic gas cylinders, petrol and diesel are available in Hapur in adequate quantity. People can do online registration and get cylinders from their gas agencies.” Meanwhile, in a separate development, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath earlier held a meeting with officials regarding the state’s gas supply situation and assured that there was no shortage of diesel, petrol, and cooking gas in the state, urging people to avoid rumours. In a post on X, CM Yogi Adityanath said, “There is no shortage of diesel-petrol in Uttar Pradesh. Avoid rumours related to shortage of cooking gas.”“If any distributor agency or private individual is found involved in black marketing or hoarding, an FIR will be immediately registered against them, and the strictest action will be ensured,” he said. The Chief Minister said the government is committed to ensuring the convenience and fulfilment of the needs of the common people in every situation. He also directed officials to prevent panic and ensure the timely distribution of fuel supplies.
