Pune Police Seize 72 Commercial Gas Cylinders in Crackdown on Illegal Black Market Trade

In a major crackdown on the illegal trade of commercial gas cylinders, Pune Police seized 72 cylinders and a pickup tempo, allegedly used for black marketing, from Sinhagad jurisdiction on Dec 11, during a series of raids conducted on suspected dealers.

The accused has been identified as Somnath Lahu Bhojane (39), a resident of Wadgaon Budruk. According to the police, the operation was carried out after getting a tip-off from an informer. 

Illegal cylinder shop near Sinhagad Road

It has been found that the accused, Bhojane, was running an illegal business of gas cylinders at a public place near Sinhagad Road. 

Following the information, police laid a trap, and they found a tempo illegally stocking and selling blue-yellow coloured gas cylinders.

Accordingly, Bhojane was caught red-handed while selling the illegal gas cylinders and was arrested. A total of 72 gas cylinders and a white tempo worth Rs10.24 lakh have been seized. 

Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Sub Inspector Santosh Bhandwalker from the Sinhagadh Police Station said, “Accused Bhojane was working as a labourer. We are searching for the main accused. These are commercial gas cylinders, which are purchased by the hotel owners, stall workers, etc, for commercial purposes at an inflated price and less in quantity.” 

“The main source of the illegal gas supply is still unknown, but soon everything will be on the table, and we will arrest the people involved in the crime and bust the network operating across several locations in the city,” Bhandwalker added.

Regarding the matter, a case has been registered at the Sinhagad Police Station under section 287, 288 (3)(4) of Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita and Section 3,7 of Essential Commodities Act 1955.