Bengaluru/Kolar: Authorities have launched a crackdown on illegal refilling of LPG and unsafe storage of cylinders in Bengaluru and Kolar, following reports of a shortage of domestic gas cylinders.Food inspectors, along with local police, conducted multiple raids and registered cases against those allegedly involved in hoarding, illegally selling, and storing LPG cylinders. Raids were carried out in the Chikkajala, Kengeri, and Peenya police limits.In one case, police raided Mahalakshmi Enterprises in Mylasandra on Saturday. Mahantagowda Tadligi, food inspector for Bengaluru South, said officials found owner Mangaram — now remanded in judicial custody — storing LPG cylinders belonging to different companies and selling them at inflated rates. Fifteen cylinders were seized.In another raid, on Friday, officials inspected Vinayaka Gas Agency in Chokkasandra. Food inspector Prasanna Kumar, along with Peenya police, found that owner Janardhan, who has since been arrested, had stored around 45 cylinders without safety measures or a valid licence, and was selling them at higher prices.In the third case, Savitha Unki, food inspector from Yelahanka, along with Yelahanka police, raided Annapoorna Enterprises on Friday. Owner Kumaraswamy, also arrested, had allegedly stored 209 empty cylinders of different companies without safety measures or a valid licence.All cases have been registered under the Essential Commodities Act, the LPG (Supply and Distribution) Control Order, and Section 318 (cheating) of BNS.Meanwhile, in Kolar, officials inspected eateries to check the misuse of domestic LPG cylinders. During a joint raid by the food department, city municipal council, and the tahsildar’s office in Bangarpet, 22 domestic cylinders were seized from nine eateries, where they were being used for commercial cooking.(with inputs from Ranganath K)
