Barabanki Administration Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Gas Cylinder Racket
The Barabanki administration has launched a significant crackdown on illegal gas cylinder operations, seizing a total of 91 cylinders from three different locations over the past three days. This decisive action has resulted in two individuals being formally booked, with ongoing investigations aimed at identifying other persons involved in the suspected racket.
Joint Team Recovers 19 Cylinders from Suspected Warehouse
Officials confirmed on Thursday that a joint team from the supply department successfully recovered 19 gas cylinders from a suspected warehouse. The raid was led by Assistant Regional Officer Alok Mishra, alongside supply inspectors Imran Manzoor and Avdhesh Pandey. The seized inventory included seven large domestic cylinders, two small domestic cylinders, and 10 small commercial cylinders.
Preliminary inquiries have revealed that the warehouse is allegedly linked to a Banki-resident named Narendra. This recovery is part of a series of actions taken this week to combat illegal storage and diversion activities.
Earlier Recoveries and Sealing of Suspicious Warehouses
The crackdown began earlier in the week when the District Supply Officer (DSO) conducted a raid at a shop in the Awas Vikas area on Monday, seizing 25 gas cylinders. During this operation, two additional warehouses were identified as suspicious and subsequently sealed by authorities.
On Tuesday, acting under the directions of the District Magistrate, a team opened one of the sealed warehouses and recovered an additional 47 cylinders. During questioning, the property owner informed officials that the premises had been rented out to Narendra. Despite repeated attempts to contact him, Narendra did not appear before the authorities, raising further suspicions.
Second Warehouse Also Linked to Same Accused
The investigation continued on Wednesday evening when the second sealed warehouse was opened and inspected. Officials discovered that this location was also linked to the same accused individual, Narendra. The repeated recoveries from premises associated with Narendra have heightened suspicions of an organized network engaged in the illegal storage and diversion of LPG cylinders for sale in the black market.
FIR Registered and Ongoing Investigations
District Supply Officer Rakesh Tiwari confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against two accused individuals at the city Kotwali police station. The authorities are actively pursuing leads to uncover the full extent of the racket and identify all persons involved. The administration remains committed to ensuring the lawful distribution of LPG cylinders and preventing their illegal diversion.
