Delhi Police has cracked down on a major LPG hoarding and black marketing racket in the Bawana area of North-West Delhi. During a raid conducted on Thursday evening, April 2, 2026, the police arrested a 50-year-old man and seized a total of 75 LPG cylinders. This action comes amid reports of a gas shortage and strict government measures to prevent illegal stockpiling across the country due to global supply chain disruptions.
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How the Bawana LPG Hoarding Racket was Exposed
The Outer-North district police, led by DCP Hareshwar Swami, acted on specific information regarding the illegal storage of gas cylinders. Initially, a pickup truck was intercepted with 27 cylinders. Following the interrogation of the driver, identified as Anil from Auchandi village, the police recovered 48 more cylinders from two rooms and an iron shed near a factory. These cylinders were stored without any safety measures or legal permits, posing a significant fire hazard to the local community.
Important Rules to Prevent LPG Hoarding and Illegal Supply
The government and Delhi administration have introduced several measures to ensure the fair distribution of cooking gas. These rules are designed to stop panic buying and hoarding during the current supply crisis. The authorities have also warned that hoarding cylinders beyond the permitted limit of two per domestic connection can lead to legal action, fines, and imprisonment.
| Date | Key Decision or Event |
|---|---|
| March 9, 2026 | LPG booking interval increased from 21 to 25 days |
| March 17, 2026 | Over 15,000 cylinders seized in 12,000 raids nationwide |
| March 26, 2026 | New commercial LPG policy implemented in Delhi |
| April 2, 2026 | Bawana raid conducted and 75 cylinders seized by police |
New Policies for Commercial and Domestic LPG Consumers
To further curb black marketing, the Delhi government has linked commercial LPG allocation to the average consumption of the last three months. Additionally, Delivery Authentication Code or OTP-based delivery has been made mandatory to prevent theft during transit. The Petroleum Ministry is also considering Aadhaar-based KYC for the purchase of 5kg small cylinders to track distribution among migrant workers and students. Consumers are advised to avoid unnecessary bookings as the overall supply remains stable despite logistical delays.
