Two persons have been detained under the Goondas Act in Madurai for allegedly hoarding 398 cooking gas cylinders for sale in the black market. Officials said this is the first time in Tamil Nadu that such action has been taken in connection with the illegal hoarding of LPG cylinders.
The action follows raids conducted by the Civil Supplies Crime Investigation Department after receiving information about the illegal storage and sale of subsidised and commercial gas cylinders in parts of the city.
During a search near the house of Palani at Athalai in Kovilpapakudi, officials seized 209 cylinders, including 100 subsidised domestic cylinders and 109 commercial cylinders that were allegedly stored for illegal sale.
In another raid near the residence of Madankumar, 27, of Anandam Nagar in Kovilpapakudi, officials seized 189 cylinders, including 63 domestic and 126 commercial cylinders.
In total, 398 cylinders were seized from the two locations. The accused were initially arrested under provisions of the Essential Commodities Act and remanded in judicial custody.
Subsequently, Madurai District Collector M.S. Praveen Kumar ordered their detention under the Goondas Act for engaging in black market activities involving essential commodities.
Officials of the Civil Supplies Crime Investigation Department warned that strict action would be taken against those involved in hoarding and illegally selling subsidised cooking gas cylinders.
