Shop owner held for illegally refilling, selling LPG cylinders

Patna: An electrical repairing shop owner was arrested for illegally refilling and selling LPG cylinders in black market in Srikrishnapuri area of Patna on Sunday.According to police, acting on a tip-off, a police team led by Srikrishnapuri SHO Jitendra Rana raided Sarveshwari Electric Repair Center near the Anandpuri drain and seized eight empty LPG cylinders along with refilling equipment. The raid was planned after inspector Randhir Kumar visited the shop posing as a customer and enquired about buying a gas cylinder. The shopkeeper allegedly agreed to sell cylinders in the black market. During interrogation, the accused, Anil Kumar, a resident of Rajapur Pul who runs the repair centre, failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the cylinders and equipment found in his shop. He confessed to refilling and selling domestic and commercial LPG cylinders illegally while pretending to run an electrical appliance repair business.Supply inspector Prince Kumar said the operation was cracked based on credible intelligence. “A case has been registered against the accused under the Essential Commodities Act at Srikrishnapuri police station. He has confessed to black marketing of LPG cylinders, and further legal action will be taken as per the law,” he said.