While silver ornaments and brass utensils were also stolen, the loss of the cooking gas has caused the most distress for the victims, highlighting the scarcity of the fuel amid geopolitical tensions. According to the complaint filed at Beleghata police station, the family discovered the theft after waking up in the morning. The kitchen door was pried open, and utensils lay scattered across the floor.“We checked the cupboards first, but the shock came when my wife entered the kitchen,” Sarkar stated. “The gas cylinder was gone. We had managed to secure that refill with great difficulty. We were even cooking fewer dishes to make it last.”An officer confirmed that the accused entered the residence before 2 am. After disconnecting the regulator, the thief hoisted the 14.2 kg cylinder onto his shoulder. CCTV footage is also being collected from the spot, he stated. Investigators suspect more people were involved and were waiting nearby to carry the heavy load.The theft has left the Sarkar family distraught due to the administrative hurdle of obtaining a replacement. “Without the old cylinder to return, we are unsure if the dealer will provide a new one. This is a setback of at least 25 days for our household,” the family told the investigators.Law enforcement officials noted that this is likely the first time a gas cylinder has been the primary target of a residential burglary in the city. The shift in criminal interest is being attributed to a thriving black market. With supply chains squeezed by international conflict, commercial establishments — including hotels and street-side food stalls — are reportedly paying a premium for domestic cylinders.“The demand in the grey market is at an all-time high. Even though it is a domestic cylinder, it can be sold instantly to a small eatery for a high price,” said an officer. Beleghata Police have registered a case under Section 305(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). While silver jewellery was also missing from an adjacent room, the family has urged the police to prioritise the recovery of the gas cylinder too.Officers are currently scanning further CCTV feed to track the route taken by the culprits. While this is the first case of a physical theft of a gas cylinder, cops have also warned of online methods being used by fraudsters using this crisis. Kolkata Police cyber cells have issued urgent advisory warning residents of a voice-based banking scam impersonating gas company officials, following three fresh complaints from Tollygunge, Behala, and Sinthee in the past 72 hours.The scam begins with calls from seemingly legitimate local numbers starting with 9, mimicking familiar contacts. Fraudsters pose as gas company representatives, inquiring: “Does the subsidy get credited to your account? Which account does it go into?” Victims, often believing it’s routine verification, share consumer numbers and bank details. However, acting according to their instructions, can lead to monetary losses.
