The Central Crime Branch investigating an illegal LPG cylinder refilling racket found out that the racket was operating from a small residential building and a godown amid a coconut grove on Uttarahalli Main Road near Kengeri.

The racket, according to the police, thrived by siphoning off LPG gas cylinders and refilling them into smaller ones, and selling them to ignorant customers, mainly migrant workers.  

“Illegal LPG refilling centres are extremely dangerous, especially the ones operating from residential areas. We will crack down on all such centres,” Jitendra Kanagavi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) told Bangalore Mirror.

When police raided the den, the duo were refilling empty 3 kg cylinders. Police also said that the manner in which they were refilling was crude using a pipe to connect cylinders. 

Two people have been arrested while three are absconding. The arrested are Suneel Kumar (23) from Chikkaballapura and Shivaraju BN (33) from Kanakapura. 

Police managed to recover 116 cylinders, a Maruti Omni and a goods carrier auto rickshaw that was used for transporting the cylinders, the report adds.

The racket’s supply chain is now under the scanner to confirm how they used to get LPG cylinders in bulk from approved agencies before refilling and reselling them at a higher rate. 

The godown in Kengeri was a hub of activity, working to refill smaller cylinders with the LPG siphoned off from larger ones.

Police have registered a case against the accused at the Kengeri police station.