Pune: Illegal LPG Refilling Racket Busted in Wanwadi, Two Arrested
Wanwadi, 5th September 2025: Wanwadi police arrested two men on Thursday for illegally refilling domestic LPG cylinders with empty ones, a dangerous act that posed a serious threat to public safety.
The accused were identified as Pankaj Kishansing Thakur (20) and Pravin Bangaliram Kumar (35), both natives of Fatehabad, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, currently residing in Manjri, Pune. They were caught red-handed inside a tempo (MH-12 LT 2028) near Suryalok Nagari Society, Vaidwadi, Hadapsar.
According to police, the duo, employees of Samidha Bharat Gas Agency, were transferring around 1 kg of LPG from each domestic cylinder into empty ones using a specially made pipe with regulators. Police seized material worth ₹2.36 lakh.
The action was taken based on a tip-off received by policemen Amol Pilane and Abhijit Chavan.
A case has been registered under BNS Sections 287, 288, and Essential Commodities Act Sections 3 and 7. The investigation is being conducted by API Umakant Mahadik under the guidance of senior officials DCP Dr. Rajkumar Shinde, ACP Dnyaneshwar Godse, and Senior Inspector Satyajit Adamane.
Police have urged citizens to check LPG cylinders upon delivery and immediately report any suspicious refilling activities, warning that such illegal handling of inflammable substances endangers lives.
