The Hyderabad City Police successfully dismantled a major illegal LPG hoarding racket on 30 March 2026, arresting 10 individuals and seizing 414 gas cylinders. Acting on credible intelligence, the Commissioner’s Task Force (Jubilee Hills Zone) raided a site near a graveyard in Banjara Hills, where the accused were found storing and selling commercial cylinders at nearly triple their market value.
The bust comes amid an ongoing LPG shortage, with the prime accused a licensed gas agency owner allegedly diverting supplies to exploit desperate customers and restaurant owners for wrongful financial gain.
Graveyard Hub Exposed: Profiteering Amidst Crisis
The raid, led by Inspector Ch. Yadendar and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Task Force) Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath, uncovered a clandestine operation valued at approximately ₹21.88 lakh. Among the 414 seized cylinders were 178 filled units ranging from 5 kg to 47 kg.
The investigation revealed that the prime suspect, Mohd. Aamir of Metro Gas Agency, had been using a local graveyard as a discreet storage hub, allegedly paying a caretaker ₹5,000 a month to facilitate the illegal dump. “The accused were caught red-handed dumping cylinders and selling them at higher rates, violating safety norms and government regulations,” stated DCP Raghunath.
To secure bulk supplies, Aamir reportedly coerced restaurant owners into submitting false requests for hostels or orphanages, subsequently selling a standard 19 kg commercial cylinder for as much as ₹6,000.
Contextual Crackdown on the Black Market
This operation is part of a wider intensified effort by Hyderabad authorities to curb the black marketing of essential commodities during the current fuel crisis. District Collector Hari Chandana Dasari recently confirmed that special teams have registered over 435 cases and seized a total of 800 cylinders across the city to date.
The Banjara Hills bust highlights a dangerous trend where legitimate licenses are used as a front for illegal diversion. Beyond the financial exploitation, officials expressed grave concerns over the public safety risks posed by storing highly flammable materials in an open, unregulated public space like a graveyard.
Eleven transport vehicles, including DCM vans and auto-rickshaws used for distribution, were also confiscated during the Sunday raid.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that times of crisis should bring out the best in humanity—empathy, cooperation, and honesty rather than provide a playground for exploitation. It is deeply disheartening to see essential resources diverted from those in need to fill the pockets of a few.
Profiteering from a shortage is not just a legal offence; it is a breach of the social contract and a direct hit on the livelihoods of honest small-business owners and households. While we commend the Hyderabad Police for their swift action, this incident serves as a reminder for all of us to remain vigilant and report such malpractices.
Only through collective accountability and a commitment to fair play can we ensure that basic necessities remain accessible to everyone, regardless of the circumstances.
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Hyderabad Commissioner’s Task Force along with Banjara Hills Police busted an illegal LPG cylinder hoarding racket and apprehended 10 persons.
— V.C. Sajjanar, IPS (@SajjanarVC_IPS) March 30, 2026
The accused were found illegally hoarding 414 LPG cylinders at a graveyard in Banjara Hills to sell them at inflated prices for… pic.twitter.com/YVFD4qb7tk
