Jan Suraaj neta faces FIR over illegal LPG stock at brick kiln in Kishanganj

Patna: An FIR was registered against a Jan Suraaj leader in Kishanganj district on Wednesday for illegal possession of 62 domestic LPG cylinders. The cylinders were recovered during a raid conducted at a brick kiln belonging to him on Tuesday night.

The kiln is owned by Ikramul Haque, a Jan Suraaj leader and former Thakurganj assembly candidate. He was appointed the party’s general secretary on May 10, just three days before the action. The appointment was announced by state president Manoj Kumar Bharti.

Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Aniket Kumar said the Kishanganj DM had received information about illegal use of domestic LPG cylinders, following which a team was constituted and the raid was carried out in the Jiapokhar police station area.

At Nihar brick kiln in Bandarjhula panchayat, officials seized 62 cylinders, including 52 large and eight small ones. Some of the cylinders were filled with gas.

“The action was taken on the basis of specific information. Domestic cylinders were being used unlawfully. The administration is continuously monitoring stock and distribution of LPG, and complaints are being addressed promptly,” the SDM said.

The raid was conducted in the presence of SDPO-2 Manglesh Kumar Singh, mineral department officer Pranav Kumar Prabhakar, revenue officer Rahul Kumar, Jiapokhar SHO Gautam Kumar, Pouakhali SHO Angad Kumar, and other police personnel.

According to officials, Haque operates the brick kiln and had contested the Thakurganj assembly seat in the 2025 elections.

Officials said the administration has intensified checks amid concerns over shortages of petrol, diesel and cooking gas due to the ongoing West Asia conflict. Several raids have been carried out across the state to curb black marketing and hoarding of LPG cylinders, and the Kishanganj action is part of this drive.

SDPO-2 Manglesh Kumar Singh said an FIR was registered at Jiapokhar police station on a written complaint by Thakurganj block supply officer Sumit Kumar.

“A detailed investigation has been launched to ascertain how such a large number of domestic cylinders reached the site and for how long they were being used,” he added.