Massive LPG Cylinder Theft in Jhansi: 524 Cylinders Worth Rs 17 Lakh Missing
In a shocking incident in Jhansi, a truck loaded with 524 filled LPG gas cylinders, valued at over Rs 17 lakh, went missing on Friday and is feared to have been stolen. The empty truck was discovered abandoned, and as of Sunday, the cylinders remain untraced, sparking a major police investigation.
Details of the Theft and Complaint
According to a complaint filed by truck owner Neeraj Kumar Agarwal, a resident of New Roy Ganj, Sipri Bazar, the trucks were outsourced by Bharat Petroleum to transport refilled LPG cylinders from their plant at Karari on Gwalior Road to various destinations. One of his trucks was loaded with 524 cylinders on March 2, destined for Kanpur Dehat. The driver parked the vehicle outside the plant and went home for the Holi festival.
On Friday, Agarwal tracked the GPS location of the truck, which showed it moving ahead of the plant. When he inquired with the driver, he was stunned to learn that the driver was still at his home. After a frantic search, the truck was found empty and abandoned near the Paricha Thermal Power Plant on Kanpur Road, with all cylinders missing. The GPS device of the truck had also been tampered with, indicating foul play.
Police Investigation and Corporate Response
On Saturday, a case was lodged at the Sipri Bazar police station against an unknown person for theft. According to SO Jai Prakash Chaubey of the Sipri Bazar police station, authorities are investigating the matter by tracing various CCTV footage and conducting surveillance, though no trace of the cylinders has been found yet.
Senior BPCL authorities, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that they have raised a demand note of Rs 17,35,051.50 against the 524 filled cylinders that did not reach their destination since March 2. They emphasized that the transporter is responsible for safely ferrying the cylinders, highlighting the financial and logistical implications of this theft.
This incident raises concerns about security in the transportation of essential commodities like LPG, and police are intensifying efforts to recover the stolen cylinders and apprehend the culprits.
