Indian authorities have seized 414 cooking-gas cylinders hidden in a graveyard in Hyderabad and arrested several individuals involved in their alleged illegal sale, a government official said on Thursday.
The action comes as authorities intensify raids to curb hoarding of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) amid supply disruptions caused by the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran. The conflict has affected global shipping routes, leading to shortages in fuel supplies.
According to Sujata Sharma, a senior official at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, authorities conducted around 2,600 raids in a single day, recovering approximately 700 LPG cylinders across various locations.
“In Hyderabad, around 400 cylinders were found inside a graveyard. Ten people have been detained, and the distributor involved has been suspended,” Sharma said during a briefing.
Police said the accused were selling both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders at nearly three times the regulated market price. A commercial cylinder costing about 2,100 Indian rupees was reportedly sold for up to 6,000 rupees.
The total value of the seized cylinders and related vehicles is estimated at around 2.2 million rupees, according to police officials. The accused could not be immediately reached for comment.
Despite global volatility, officials said domestic LPG supply remains stable. “The supply of natural gas to domestic consumers is 100% assured,” Sharma said, adding that there has been no increase in domestic LPG prices.
India, the world’s second-largest importer of LPG, meets nearly 60% of its demand through imports, primarily from the Middle East. Authorities have stepped up measures to prevent shortages, including promoting alternative fuels such as kerosene, coal, and biogas, and expanding piped natural gas distribution.