Major LPG Cylinder Seizure in Lucknow: SP Leader Among Five Booked After Resort Raid
A significant enforcement operation unfolded in Lucknow on Saturday, resulting in the seizure of 88 domestic LPG cylinders allegedly stored illegally at a city resort. Officials from the food and civil supplies department conducted a coordinated raid based on a tip-off, uncovering what they describe as a clear violation of regulations governing the supply and distribution of essential commodities.
Tip-Off Leads to Joint Operation on Mohan Road
The action was initiated after the District Supply Officer (DSO) of Lucknow received specific intelligence indicating that domestic gas cylinders were being illegally stored and potentially black-marketed from a resort located on Mohan Road. Acting swiftly on this information, a joint team led by the DSO descended upon the premises to investigate the allegations.
Upon arrival, officers immediately noticed a vehicle bearing the markings of the Aseem Bharat Gas Agency from Alambagh. This discovery prompted a thorough inspection of the resort property, where authorities found a substantial cache of LPG cylinders.
Detailed Inventory of Seized Cylinders
The inspection revealed a precise breakdown of the confiscated items:
- 65 empty domestic LPG cylinders with a capacity of 14.2 kilograms each
- 9 filled domestic LPG cylinders also of 14.2-kilogram capacity
- 14 empty cylinders with a smaller capacity of 6 kilograms
Officials emphasized that the individuals present at the resort during the raid were completely unable to produce any refill vouchers or legal documentation authorizing either the storage or transportation of these cylinders. This lack of proper paperwork raised immediate red flags about the legitimacy of the operation.
Political Connections and Ownership Details Emerge
As the investigation progressed, it was revealed that the resort owner, Surendra Kumar, has political affiliations with the Samajwadi Party. Kumar had previously contested the 2022 assembly election from the Malihabad seat under the party's ticket. When he arrived at the scene, Kumar informed officials that the gas agency in question operates under his wife's name.
Kumar further explained that the agency's management was handled by Munna, also known as Iqtida Hussain, who had arranged the dealership approximately one year earlier. In his defense, Kumar claimed that a new warehouse had recently been constructed in Ibrahimganj village, but poor access roads prevented vehicles from reaching the facility. According to his statement, gas vehicles had been temporarily parked at the resort for only 3-4 days as a result of this logistical challenge.
Additional Discovery and Legal Violations
Despite Kumar's explanations, officials maintained that he failed to produce any documents authorizing the storage of LPG cylinders at the resort location. During further inspection of the area, the team discovered a truck parked approximately 600 meters from the warehouse site. The driver of this vehicle informed officials that he had transported 360 domestic LPG cylinders from the bottling plant on Kursi Road earlier that same day.
The driver claimed he had parked the truck in a field and was in the process of unloading cylinders with the assistance of laborers, acting on instructions from the owner. Notably, no agency staff members were present at this secondary location during the inspection.
Officials concluded that the cylinders were being illegally stored in an unauthorized location with the apparent intention of black marketing, constituting a direct violation of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000.
Legal Action and Accused Individuals
Based on these findings, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Kakori police station under Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. This legislation is specifically designed to control the production, supply, and distribution of essential commodities to ensure their availability at fair prices.
The accused individuals named in the FIR include:
- Jameel Ahmad
- Sahil
- Munna alias Iqtida Hussain (agency manager)
- Surendra Kumar (resort owner)
- Manju Kanaujia (proprietor of the gas agency)
This case highlights ongoing concerns about the illegal diversion and black marketing of domestic LPG cylinders, which are subsidized for household use. Authorities have emphasized that such activities not only violate regulations but also deprive genuine consumers of their rightful access to this essential cooking fuel at controlled prices.
