Mumbai: A 57-year-old owner of a gas agency in Andheri West and his employee were taken into custody by the crime branch for illegally transferring LPG from a 14.6 kg cylinder to four smaller empty cylinders without any licence or permissions. The act caused considerable risk to life and safety of others, said police. An FIR was registered against the duo by the DN Nagar Police based on a complaint given by a crime branch officer.
Tip-off Leads to Raid
Acting on a tip-off, the crime branch raided the gas agency early on June 5. Around 1:25 am, the crime branch team's informant led them to the shop. Although the shop was shut, the police team detected a sharp odour and could hear sounds of gas cylinders being moved inside the premises. One of the crime branch officers banged on the shutter but there was no response from inside.
Owner Summoned to Open Shop
The crime branch then got in touch with the owner of the agency, Vadi Lal, and asked him to reach the location with his set of keys. The owner opened the shop for the crime branch and spotted a 23-year-old man inside the premises. He had been removing LPG from a 14.6 kg cylinder and filling it into four smaller empty cylinders using a plastic gas filling pipe and regulator. The man was identified as Shamshuddin Khan. Khan said he worked in the shop and had taken the step on the instructions of his employer.
Seizure and Arrest
Police seized equipment worth Rs 1.7 lakh from the shop and took both the men into custody. The illegal transfer of LPG posed a serious threat to public safety, as any leak or mishap could have led to a major fire or explosion. Further investigation is underway to determine if this was an isolated incident or part of a larger illegal operation.
