Major LPG Cylinder Theft Busted in Jhansi, Police Recover 524 Cylinders Worth Over ₹17 Lakh
In a significant crackdown on organized crime, Jhansi police successfully recovered 524 stolen LPG cylinders and arrested seven individuals involved in the theft on Wednesday morning. The cylinders, with an estimated value exceeding ₹17 lakh, were stolen from a BPCL refilling unit in Karari on Friday, creating widespread concern in the community.
Police Operation Leads to Multiple Arrests
Senior Superintendent of Police BBGTS Murthy detailed the operation during a press conference, revealing that police teams apprehended four suspects during an early morning patrol. At approximately 2:30 AM near a gas godown on Gwalior Road, officers intercepted Jawed (26), Amir (35), Hrithik (24), and Sumit (22) following a brief encounter. During this initial arrest, authorities recovered a handgun and several cartridges from the suspects.
SSP Murthy explained that Amir hailed from Samthar, while the other three accused were residents of Premnagar. The police operation continued throughout the morning, resulting in the arrest of three additional individuals at around 5:30 AM. Shubhankar Parihar (28), the owner of Shiv Gas Agency in Samthar, along with Abhishek (25) and Surendra (23), were taken into custody as the investigation expanded.
Elaborate Theft Scheme Uncovered
During interrogation, police uncovered a carefully planned theft operation. Hrithik and Jawed, both former drivers for truck fleet owner Neeraj Agarwal, allegedly devised the scheme to steal a truckload of cylinders to settle an outstanding debt owed by the truck owner. The duo then approached Amir, who worked at Shiv Gas Agency, arranging to sell the stolen cylinders for ₹13 lakh.
On Friday morning, Jawed and Hrithik drove the truck loaded with 524 filled LPG cylinders while Amir and Sumit escorted them on a motorcycle. The vehicle was parked in front of the BPCL refilling unit in Karari, an area generally considered secure. The disappearance of the truck from this location became a major topic of discussion throughout Jhansi.
Recovery of Stolen Property and Cash
Police successfully recovered all 524 stolen cylinders from Shiv Gas Agency in Samthar, though 135 had already been emptied and sold. Authorities also confiscated ₹83,820 in cash that the accused had obtained from selling the cylinders. In a separate discovery, police found ₹11.10 lakh at Jawed's residence, money he reportedly received after delivering the stolen cylinders.
After unloading the cylinders at the gas agency, the accused abandoned the empty truck near Paricha and deliberately damaged the GPS device in an attempt to mislead investigators. The theft occurred during a period of LPG shortages exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, adding to the significance of the crime.
Investigation Techniques and Rewards
SSP Murthy credited the successful resolution of the case to coordinated efforts by multiple police teams and extensive monitoring of hundreds of CCTV cameras at various locations throughout the investigation. The police chief announced a reward of ₹25,000 for the team responsible for cracking the case and confirmed that all seven accused are being sent to jail as legal proceedings continue.
This major recovery operation demonstrates the effectiveness of Jhansi police in combating organized theft and ensuring the security of essential commodities during challenging times.
