Coimbatore LPG Hoarding Scandal: Special Teams Hunt for Three Suspects
In a significant crackdown on illegal activities, authorities in Coimbatore have formed two special teams to trace three individuals involved in the unlawful hoarding of commercial LPG cylinders. This development follows a surprise raid that uncovered nearly a thousand cylinders stored illegally, highlighting concerns over black market operations in the city.
Suspects Identified and Arrest Made
The suspects have been identified as Divya Bharathi, 30, wife of gas agency owner D Pradeep, 40, and C Ganesh Moorthy, both hailing from Karur district. Meanwhile, S Karthikeyan, 33, a resident of Lakshmi Mills, was arrested by the civil supplies CID police on Saturday night for his alleged role in the illegal hoarding scheme. Karthikeyan, who runs an LPG cylinder distribution service agency in Coimbatore, is accused of receiving cylinders from Pradeep and Ganesh Moorthy and selling them at inflated prices on the black market.
Raid Uncovers Massive Hoard
The incident came to light after a coordinated effort by officials from Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum, alongside the civil supplies CID police. They conducted a surprise raid at Shanthi Energies, located near Lakshmi Mill Junction. During the search, authorities discovered 997 commercial LPG cylinders that had been stored illegally in the godown. All these cylinders were promptly seized by the police as part of the ongoing investigation.
Implications and Ongoing Investigation
This case sheds light on the illicit trade of essential commodities, with the suspects allegedly exploiting the demand for LPG cylinders to profit from black market sales. The formation of special teams underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating this matter, aiming to bring all involved parties to justice. The investigation continues as police work to trace the remaining suspects and dismantle the network behind this illegal operation.
