The Deonar police have booked a gas delivery worker for allegedly storing commercial LPG cylinders unlawfully in a public place, officials confirmed on April 1. The accused, identified as Shahid Ali Imam Hussain Sayyed, was reportedly found with 23 empty commercial LPG cylinders along with a tempo vehicle, all of which have been confiscated by authorities. Police stated that such storage in open public areas violates safety norms and regulatory laws. The case has been registered following initial findings that pointed towards unauthorised handling and storage of gas cylinders, which could pose serious risks to public safety in densely populated areas like Deonar.
The case was initiated after a formal complaint was lodged by Jagannath Bhanudas Sanap, a 57-year-old rationing officer attached to the Govandi Rationing Office. Acting on his complaint, the police registered an offence under Sections 3, 7, and 8 of the Essential Commodities Act. Additionally, relevant provisions of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000, were also invoked. Officials said these laws are meant to regulate the proper distribution and storage of LPG cylinders, and any violation can attract strict legal action due to the potential hazards associated with improper handling of such materials.
According to the First Information Report, the incident came to light on March 31 during a routine patrol by a rationing inspector. The officer noticed a tempo parked under suspicious circumstances near a public toilet in Gautam Nagar, located close to the Deonar slaughterhouse. Sensing possible illegal activity, the inspector alerted the Deonar police for assistance. When the authorities arrived and inspected the vehicle, they summoned the accused to the spot and instructed him to unlock the tempo for verification. This led to the discovery of 23 empty commercial LPG cylinders stored inside the vehicle.
During the inspection, police found cylinders of varying capacities, including 19 kg and 5 kg units belonging to Bharat Gas, as well as 19 kg cylinders from Hindustan Gas. When questioned about the origin of the cylinders, Sayyed claimed that he had procured them from Mannat Gas Agency in Kurla and Aasu Gas Agency in Malad. To support his claim, he presented invoices linked to around 12 establishments such as hotels, tea stalls, fast food outlets, cafes, and dairy units. However, officials noted that the documents provided by him appeared outdated and raised doubts regarding their validity.
Further scrutiny revealed that the invoices submitted by the accused dated back to the period between 2016 and 2018, making them invalid for current verification purposes. Authorities also found that he could not produce any legitimate documents for the remaining 11 cylinders in his possession. In addition to this, it was discovered that the tempo used for transporting the cylinders, bearing registration number MH-03-DC-0960, had an expired fitness certificate, which had lapsed on December 31, 2020. Investigators believe that the accused had been storing these cylinders illegally with the intention of earning financial gains through unauthorized means.
Police officials stated that the total value of the seized cylinders along with the tempo is estimated to be around Rs93,800. The authorities have taken possession of all the materials as part of the investigation. A detailed probe is currently underway to determine the full extent of the illegal activity, including possible links to unauthorized distribution networks or other individuals involved. Officials have reiterated the importance of adhering to safety and regulatory norms, especially when dealing with potentially hazardous substances like LPG cylinders, to prevent any untoward incidents.