A Saket court in Delhi has recently refused to grant anticipatory bail to a man named Mukesh Kumar, who is accused of illegal procurement and black marketing of LPG cylinders. The court noted that custodial interrogation is necessary to uncover the full extent of the alleged network, emphasizing that anticipatory bail is an exceptional remedy. This legal action follows a series of raids by the Delhi Police to curb the illegal hoarding of domestic and commercial gas cylinders in the national capital.
Why the Saket Court Denied Anticipatory Bail
The accused, Mukesh Kumar, faces charges under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act for violating orders that prohibit hoarding, as well as Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal conspiracy. The court observed that the nature of the crime involves an organized network that disrupts the supply of essential fuel to the public. Investigating agencies argued that the accused needed to be questioned in custody to identify other stakeholders in the black marketing chain. Special CP (Crime) Devesh Srivastava noted that gas agency dealers or delivery personnel are often key suspects in such illegal rackets, indicating that these are not isolated incidents but organized operations.
Massive Crackdown by Delhi Police and Government
The Delhi Police and the state government have significantly increased enforcement actions over the last 48 hours to tackle the shortage and illegal sales. On April 3, 2026, police busted a major hoarding racket in North Delhi, seizing 75 cylinders. Another significant operation in the South District led to the recovery of 223 cylinders from an illegal storage unit in Rajpur Khurd. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward hoarding and assured citizens that there is no actual shortage in the supply chain. Currently, 27 cases have been registered across various districts related to these illegal activities.
Official LPG Prices and Usage Rules in Delhi
Authorities have reminded citizens of the legal limits for storing and booking cylinders to prevent hoarding. Households are permitted to keep a maximum of two LPG cylinders at home. A minimum 25-day gap is mandatory between two domestic cylinder bookings. Additionally, a new rule from March 2026 mandates that households in areas with Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connectivity must switch to PNG within three months or face a stop in their LPG supply.
| Cylinder Type | Price in Delhi (April 2026) | Recent Change |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic LPG (14.2 kg) | ₹913.00 | Unchanged since March |
| Commercial LPG (19 kg) | ₹2,078.50 | Increased by ₹195.50 on April 1 |
