LPG crisis: Bengaluru police launch drive against illegal hoarding and marketing of cylinders

Bengaluru police intensify efforts against illegal LPG cylinder hoarding amid crisis, inspecting over 50 warehouses with no suspicious findings.

Amid the ongoing LPG crisis, the Bengaluru City Police have launched a drive against the black marketing and illegal hoarding of LPG cylinders in the city. More than 50 godowns were inspected over the past two days, but no such illegal activities have been detected so far.

City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh told The Hindu that teams have been formed at the police station level and that the drive is being supervised by the Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs).

Yatish N., DCP West, said that they are monitoring individuals involved in illegal marketing and related activities. In addition, teams have been visiting warehouses where LPG cylinders are stored, to check whether they are being held illegally. “We checked about eight such godowns in our jurisdiction, but no illegal hoarding was observed,” he said.

B. Nemagoud, DCP North, said that the police are also conducting a sensitisation drive to prevent any black marketing activities. About 18 godowns were inspected, but nothing suspicious was found.

According to DCPs who spoke to The Hindu, more than 50 warehouses and several goods vehicles were searched in the last two days.

Meanwhile, Home Minister G. Parameshwara told reporters on Friday (March 13, 2026) that DGP M.A. Saleem has already instructed all superintendents of police and commissioners across the state to keep vigil against illegal hoarding and black marketing.