Thane, March 16 As many as 84 illegally stored LPG cylinders, valued at Rs 2.22 lakh, were seized from a private premises in the Bhiwandi town of Thane district, leading to the registration of a case against three individuals under the Essential Commodities Act, police said on Monday.
The action comes in the wake of increased vigilance to check hoarding and black marketing of domestic gas cylinders in view of the West Asia crisis.
The government has repeatedly denied reports of a shortage of LPG cylinders; however, at many locations, people are queuing up to buy cylinders.
"Officials from the PDS department in Thane conducted a raid at the Vardaman Compound in the Valgaon area on March 14 and found that LPG cylinders were being stored for sale illegally without the required permit," police said.
An official said that out of the 84 cylinders, 34 were filled, and the remaining were empty.
"The seized cylinders are collectively valued at Rs 2.22 lakh," the officer said.
Police also confiscated three tempos and two scooters, allegedly used for transporting the cylinders.
An FIR was registered against three persons under the relevant provisions of the Essential Commodities Act and the LPG Regulation Order.
No arrests have been made so far, and further investigation is underway.