4 held for illegal LPG refilling from 3 tanker capsules in Ahilyanagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The local crime branch of the Ahilyanagar police busted an illegal LPG refilling racket in Kamargaon, and arrested four men caught siphoning gas from three tanker capsules capable of refilling nearly 4,500 domestic cylinders. The police also seized material worth over Rs 2 crore.The operation was carried out late on Monday after an LCB team, led by inspector Kirankumar Kabadi, received specific information about illegal gas refilling activities being conducted at the parking area of an eatery, named Renuka Dahi Misal, along the Pune-Ahilyanagar highway in Kamargaon Shivar. A team led by sub-inspector Sameer Abhang reached the spot and confirmed that LPG was being illegally transferred from three gas tanker capsules into commercial cylinders using unauthorised and hazardous methods. The police then conducted a raid and apprehended the accused.The arrested men have been identified as Sachin Bodhale (31), a resident of Dharashiv, Manik Gutte (32), from Beed; Ulhas Kavde (32), from Dharashiv; and Amrit Balasaheb Thokale (33), a resident of Ahilyanagar's Kamargaon.Ahilyanagar superintendent of police Somnath Gharge said, "During interrogation, the accused admitted that they did not possess any govt licence and were illegally refilling gas from tanker capsules into commercial cylinders for financial gain. The tanker capsules had been filled at a plant in Chakan and were headed towards Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar."The seized items included 57.2 tonne of LPG worth Rs 30.5 lakh, three HP gas tanker capsules valued at Rs 1.6 crore, 20 Bharat Gas cylinders (two filled and 18 empty) worth Rs 60,000, an Ashok Leyland tempo valued at Rs 5 lakh, along with pipes, nozzles and other equipment used for gas transfer. All items collectively amounted to Rs 2,01,09,628.SP Gharge said, "The accused were indulging in illegal LPG refilling without any safety protocols, posing a grave risk to themselves and the public. Such activities will be dealt with strictly."Inspector Kabadi said, "Our team acted on credible intelligence and caught the accused in the act. The operation was being carried out using makeshift arrangements, which could have led to a major accident. We are probing whether more people are involved in this racket."A case was registered at the Ahilyanagar taluka police station under BNS sections 287 and 288, along with provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, LPG (Supply and Distribution) Order, Gas Cylinder Rules, and the Explosives Act. Further investigation is underway.