115 LPG cylinders seized from illegal godown in Chhatarpur; case to be filed under Essential Commodities Act

A joint team of police and administration officials raided a godown in Chhatarpur on Wednesday night and seized 115 LPG cylinders, in a major action against those storing gas cylinders illegally. The seized cylinders include both domestic and commercial ones. Legal action is being initiated against those involved in the illegal storage.

The godown is on Sarani Road in Chhatarpur. It is said to belong to Bharat Sahu.

The raid was carried out by a joint team of the Revenue Department, the Food and Civil Supplies Department and City Kotwali police. Chhatarpur SDM Rajlalan Bagri, the tahsildar and officials of the Food Department were present at the spot. The team had received information about unauthorised storage of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders, following which the raid was conducted.

A search of the godown turned up 115 cylinders in all, of which 47 were filled and 68 empty. The seized stock includes 93 domestic cylinders of 14.2 kg capacity, along with 22 empty commercial cylinders of 19 kg capacity.

By company, 68 Bharat Gas cylinders were found during the inspection. The godown also held 28 HP Gas cylinders and 19 Indane cylinders. Of the 115 cylinders, 47 are filled domestic cylinders and 46 are empty domestic cylinders. The remaining 22 are empty commercial cylinders.

The Food Department team has formally seized all the cylinders found in the godown.

According to the administration, legal action is being taken against the godown owner for unauthorised storage of domestic and commercial gas cylinders. A case will be registered against the owner under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

The administration is also looking into the circumstances in which so many LPG cylinders were kept in the godown without proper permission. Further legal action is under way.