In a coordinated effort to tackle artificial shortages and illegal trade of domestic gas cylinders, the Khordha District Supply Office and Tamando Police conducted separate high-impact operations across the capital city, seizing a total of 299 domestic LPG cylinders and arresting four individuals.
Acting on complaints of illegal hoarding and severe LPG shortages reported by consumers, the Khordha District Supply Office carried out a surprise raid at an abandoned asbestos-roofed house located at Basanta Sahoo Chhak in Kalinga Nagar under the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
During the raid, officials seized 229 domestic gas cylinders belonging to various oil marketing companies—including 90 Indane (IOCL), 101 HP Gas (HPCL), and 38 Bharat Gas (BPCL) cylinders. Authorities also recovered two gas refilling motors, pressure pipes, cylinder caps, and counterfeit plastic seals of various oil companies, pointing toward an active illegal refilling and black-marketing network.
The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of Civil Supplies Officer (CSO) Mr. Gyanendra Mishra, following directives from Khordha Collector Amrit Ruturaj. “Preliminary investigations reveal that unscrupulous traders collected these cylinders from distributors and consumers to sell them at inflated market prices. We are currently investigating the potential involvement of authorized gas distributors,” stated CSO Mr. Gyanendra Mishra.
The seized cylinders have been handed over to nearby authorized distributors: Soumya Indane (IOCL), Pramod Bharat Gas (BPCL), and Lingaraj Gas Agency (HPCL). The enforcement team included Additional Supply Officer Rohit Dash, Assistant Supply Officers Himanshu Sahoo, Himanshu Shekhar Dutta, Hiranya Kumar Dash, Ashok Kumar Sahoo, and personnel from the Commissionerate Police.
In a parallel development, Tamando Police dismantled a prolific gas cylinder theft syndicate operating across the capital and its outskirts, seizing 70 stolen cylinders and arresting four people, including the prime suspect, Tushar Ranjan Barik.
The crackdown follows an October 17 incident in Kalinga Vihar, where two HP gas cylinders were stolen from an elderly resident’s home. Police investigation revealed that Tushar targeted residential homes wearing a helmet and mask while operating a motorcycle with fake license plates. He subsequently sold the stolen cylinders at discounted rates to local repair shop owners in the Tamando-Jatani belt. Tushar already has 10 prior theft cases registered against him.
Along with 70 stolen cylinders, police seized three motorcycles, fake number plates, a laptop, and helmets. All four accused have been forwarded to court.
