Hyderabad LPG scam: 10 held for storing cylinders in graveyard, selling at inflated prices; 414 seized

Hyderabad: The Commissioner’s Task Force (Jubilee Hills Zone), along with Banjara Hills Police, arrested 10 persons involved in an illegal LPG trade network that stored gas cylinders at a graveyard and sold them to customers at inflated prices.

Police seized 414 cylinders and 11 vehicles, with the total value estimated at Rs 21.88 lakh.

Storing cylinders at Banjara Hills graveyard

Disclosing the case details to the media on Monday, DCP, Commissioner’s Task Force, Sri Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath, IPS, said the accused had adopted a shocking modus operandi by clandestinely storing LPG cylinders at a graveyard near Nagarjuna X Road in Banjara Hills and supplying them to customers at rates higher than the market price.

He stated that the network used workers to redistribute the cylinders and sell them at inflated prices, bypassing safety norms and official distribution channels. The operation not only violated regulations but also exploited public demand for illegal gain.

Kingpin linked to gas agency

The prime accused, Mohd. Aamir (42), who runs ‘Metro Gas Agency’ in Mamidipalle, Shamshabad (office at Afzalgunj), allegedly masterminded the racket. He was assisted by delivery personnel, drivers and labourers.

The arrested persons include Mohd. Yousuf (32), Mohd. Ismail (27), A Rama Rao (42), Lok Kumar (24), Mohd. Sakruddin (42), Mohd. Muntaz Ansari (35), Mohd. Minaj Ansari (42), Rajesh Pal (36) and Ram Raj Singh (54), a local temple president. Most of them are residents of Shoukath Nagar and nearby areas in Banjara Hills.

Police seized a total of 414 LPG cylinders, including:

- 30 commercial cylinders (47 kg)

- 148 filled domestic cylinders (19 kg)

- 192 empty domestic cylinders (19 kg)

- 35 filled small cylinders (5 kg)

- 9 empty small cylinders (5 kg)

Additionally, 11 vehicles used for transportation were confiscated, including DCM trucks, Bolero vehicles, Tata Ace, Tata Intra, Tata Magic and multiple auto-rickshaws.

The raid was carried out by Inspector Ch. Yadendar, SI D Raviraj, and the Commissioner’s Task Force team, in coordination with Banjara Hills Police.

DCP Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath stated that stringent action will be taken against those involved in such illegal activities that endanger public safety.

Public safety concern

Police warned that unauthorised storage and handling of LPG cylinders can lead to serious fire and explosion hazards, particularly in densely populated areas. Further investigation into the racket is underway.