Pune Police Thwart Illegal LPG Operation, Arrest Three Suspects
In a swift action on Tuesday, the North Chakan police arrested three individuals for illegally transferring liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from a commercial tanker into domestic cylinders. The operation, conducted at Bhose village along the Chakan-Shikrapur road, prevented what authorities described as a potential major tragedy.
Daring Raid Uncovers Dangerous Operation
The police team, acting on a specific tip-off received in the early hours of Tuesday, raided a location near a petroleum company's gas plant. Constable Bhairoba Yadav had received information about illegal LPG transfer activities in the area, prompting immediate police response.
Upon reaching the spot, officers discovered two local farmers and a tanker driver actively engaged in the hazardous operation. "The accused had broken the valve of the tanker to transfer the gas into cylinders," explained Senior Inspector Jitendra Kadam of North Chakan police. "This illegal transfer was occurring dangerously close to a petrol station located adjacent to the gas plant."
Immediate Action Prevents Disaster
The police team first secured the scene by safely closing the tanker's valve, eliminating the immediate danger. They then proceeded to arrest the three suspects:
- Ambadas Gade (42), the tanker driver from Chembur, Mumbai
- Akshay Mungse (25), a local farmer
- Navnath Hojage (34), another local farmer
Authorities seized substantial evidence from the location, including:
- The LPG tanker used in the illegal operation
- Two domestic LPG cylinders
- Specialized equipment used for gas transfer
- A two-wheeler vehicle
The total value of seized items is estimated at approximately Rs 50 lakh.
Background and Investigation Details
Senior Inspector Kadam emphasized the gravity of the situation: "A major tragedy was averted as the accused were transferring LPG from the tanker illegally without any safety measures." Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects were refilling cylinders to sell at inflated prices in the market.
This incident follows a similar dangerous episode on May 19, 2024, when a massive tanker explosion occurred at Mohitewadi along the same Chakan-Shikrapur road during another illegal LPG transfer operation. That explosion caused significant damage to three heavy vehicles, multiple two-wheelers, and several houses in the vicinity.
The North Chakan police have intensified their investigation into the latest case, examining possible connections to previous incidents and broader illegal LPG distribution networks. Authorities warn that such unauthorized transfers pose extreme risks to public safety due to the highly flammable nature of LPG and the absence of proper safety protocols.
Police investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the illegal operation and identify any additional individuals involved in what appears to be a dangerous pattern of unauthorized LPG handling in the region.
