An FIR has been lodged against two individuals, Harish Mehta and Prakash Purohit, for unlawfully storing and utilizing domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes at a hotel in Mumbai’s Kalbadevi area. The LT Marg Police mentioned that the accused have been charged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Essential Commodities Act. Investigations into the incident are currently ongoing.
Acting on a tip-off, a rationing officer conducted a raid at the Laxmi Vilas Hindu Hotel in Kalbadevi, where it was discovered that domestic LPG cylinders were being used in the hotel’s kitchen without proper authorization for commercial activities. Police recovered an empty cylinder from the premises, while another filled cylinder had been previously seized and handed over to the police station.
The hotel’s manager, Prakash Hansaram Purohit, failed to provide valid documents or permits for the cylinder usage, leading to his involvement in the case. The hotel owner, Harish Mehta, has also been implicated. Authorities highlighted the increasing instances of such violations, expressing concerns over the misuse of subsidized LPG cylinders intended for household purposes.
