HAPUR, UTTAR PRADESH — Authorities in the Hapur district have uncovered a major hoarding racket involving essential cooking gas. On Friday, March 13, 2026, a raid conducted at the residence of a local political leader, identified as Abdul Rehan, resulted in the seizure of 55 filled LPG cylinders. The operation follows mounting public outrage over a severe shortage of cooking gas and allegations of black marketing.
The district administration acted on specific complaints regarding illegal storage at Rehan’s house and nearby facilities. Residents in the Hapur Dehat area reported being forced to wait 20 to 25 days for a single cylinder, while certain suppliers were reportedly profiting by selling diverted stock at inflated prices.
Legal Action and Investigative Scope
-
Charges Filed: Police have registered a case against the accused under the Essential Commodities Act.
-
Bail Granted: Station House Officer Neeraj Kumar confirmed that the accused was granted bail at the police station, as the offence currently carries a punishment of less than seven years.
-
Supply Chain Audit: The administration has initiated a comprehensive audit of records from local gas agencies to determine how such a large quantity of stock was diverted to a private residence.
-
Wider Network: Investigators are probing potential links between the accused and a larger network of gas distributors involved in artificial price hikes.
State-Wide Crackdown on Black Marketing
The incident has prompted the Uttar Pradesh government to reiterate its directive for strict action against the hoarding of essential commodities. Following the raid, district officials have intensified surveillance across local distribution centres to ensure the fair and timely delivery of LPG to households.
“Surveillance has been tightened to prevent further misuse during these supply concerns,” an official stated, adding that the administration is committed to dismantling any local cartels exploiting the current market instability.
