Mumbai: Illegal LPG Cylinder Storage and Sales Uncovered in Worli and Govandi

The Food and Civil Supplies Department has intensified its campaign against the illegal trade of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders across Mumbai. Following a recent seizure of a large stockpile of cylinders in Worli, authorities have now registered a fresh case in Govandi. Officials alleged that a gas delivery worker was selling cylinders at prices higher than the approved rate, violating government regulations. The crackdown is part of an ongoing effort to curb black-marketing and ensure that LPG cylinders meant for domestic and commercial use reach consumers through authorised and regulated distribution channels.

According to the First Information Report, Mohammad Farooq Shaikh, a delivery worker associated with LPG distribution, allegedly purchased cylinders from a gas agency for ₹3,100 each and later sold them to hotel operators in the locality for ₹3,300. By charging a higher rate than the authorised price, he is suspected of earning unlawful profits from the transactions. Investigators claim the practice was part of an illegal supply arrangement targeting small eateries and food establishments. Authorities said such activities not only violate supply regulations but also disrupt the official distribution system meant to provide cylinders to households and businesses at regulated prices.

During the operation, officials seized three cylinders from the location, including one filled cylinder weighing about 21 kilograms and two empty cylinders weighing around 19 kilograms each. Authorities also confiscated a non-functional four-wheeler tempo that was allegedly used to store and transport the cylinders. The case has been registered at the Deonar Police Station following a complaint lodged by Jagannath Bhanudas Sanap, a 56-year-old officer from the Govandi Rationing Office. Police invoked provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 along with rules under the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000.

Officials from the Civil Supplies Department launched the investigation after receiving information about the illegal storage and sale of LPG cylinders in the area. During the inquiry, the team searched a tempo bearing registration number MH-03-DV-5521, which is reportedly owned by Arman Imamuddin Khan. During questioning, Khan allegedly informed investigators that his acquaintance, Farooq Shaikh, had kept the cylinders inside the parked vehicle. Based on this disclosure, authorities believe the vehicle was being used as a temporary storage point for illegally traded LPG cylinders before they were sold to customers in nearby commercial establishments.

In a separate enforcement action conducted in Worli on Saturday, officials from the Controller of Rationing Office and staff from Office No. 21 carried out a joint surveillance operation near Suraj Vallabhdas Chawl on Ganpatrao Kadam Road at Worli Naka. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the team monitored suspicious activity in the locality before conducting a raid. The operation uncovered a significant quantity of LPG cylinders that were allegedly being stored in violation of supply regulations. Authorities said such raids are part of a broader strategy to identify and dismantle illegal LPG distribution networks operating in the city.

During the Worli raid, officials seized a large stock of cylinders belonging to different gas companies. The recovered stock included 64 filled 4-kg cylinders and 19 filled 12-kg cylinders linked to Super Gas. Authorities also found six filled and 58 empty 5-kg cylinders associated with HP Gas. Additionally, 25 empty cylinders of varying capacities, including 2-kg, 4-kg and other variants, were confiscated from the site. Officials said further investigation is underway to identify those involved in the illegal storage and supply network.