The Delhi Police and the Crime Branch have launched a massive operation to stop the illegal hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders across the national capital. Between March 1 and March 26, 2026, enforcement agencies conducted a total of 76 raids following reports of severe delivery delays and price hikes. The Crime Branch led the effort with the largest seizures, uncovering organized networks involved in refilling and hoarding operations.
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Key Statistics and Details of the Crackdown
Data released on March 30, 2026, reveals the scale of the police action against illegal gas distribution. The East district of Delhi saw the highest number of raids, while the South district reported the maximum recovery of cylinders. Special CP Devesh Srivastava stated that the Crime Branch alone confiscated over 1,000 cylinders last week, highlighting the presence of a larger nexus being systematically dismantled by the authorities.
- Total Raids Conducted: 76
- FIRs Registered: 22
- Total Cylinders Seized: 1,710
- Crime Branch Seizures: 1,145 cylinders across 3 cases
- Black Market Domestic Cylinder Price: Up to Rs 6,500
- Black Market Refill Price: Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,000
New Distribution Rules and Government Policy
To curb the crisis, the Delhi government and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas have implemented a priority-based allocation system. Food and Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that the daily allocation of commercial LPG cylinders has been increased from 1,800 to 4,500 units. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also confirmed new booking intervals to manage the supply chain and prevent panic buying among consumers.
| Category | New Regulation/Rule |
|---|---|
| Urban Household Booking | Minimum 25-day gap between refills |
| Rural Household Booking | Minimum 45-day gap between refills |
| Priority Sectors | 100% supply for Hospitals, Schools, and Railways |
| Commercial Sector | Supplies capped based on prescribed limits |
| Enforcement Units | 70 teams deployed to counter hoarding |
Several individuals, including gas agency dealers and delivery men, have been arrested during the raids. Notable arrests include suspects from districts such as Rohini, Sangam Vihar, and South East Delhi. Officials have warned that any violations related to the diversion of domestic cylinders for commercial use will face strict action under the Essential Commodities Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
