Lucknow: An illegal domestic LPG cylinder trade was unearthed at a prominent girls’ college in Hazratganj on Monday. Officials recovered four filled LPG cylinders loaded on an abandoned motorcycle, leading to the registration of a case under the Essential Commodities Act against the vehicle owner.According to the FIR, the action was initiated following a tip-off received by the District Supply Officer, Lucknow, from an informer. The input indicated that illegal trading of domestic LPG cylinders was being carried out within the college premises located on Rana Pratap Marg.Acting on the information, a team comprising regional food officer Parvez Akhtar (BKT) and supply inspector Harsh Mishra (Hazratganj) reached the spot around 1pm. After identifying themselves to the college security staff, the team entered the premises and conducted a search.During inspection, the team discovered a black motorcycle parked inside the main gate. Four filled domestic LPG cylinders were found loaded on the vehicle. No individual was present at the spot to claim ownership or explain the presence of the cylinders.College staff, when questioned, denied any knowledge of the vehicle or the cylinders.Following due procedure, the four cylinders, along with the motorcycle, were seized and handed over to Umesh, representative of Smriti Indane Gas Agency in Hazratganj.With no individual found at the spot, authorities contacted the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) to ascertain ownership details of the vehicle. The motorcycle was found registered in the name of Gaurav Yadav of Khadra.College authorities informed the administration that the seized cylinders had no connection with the institution.Subsequently, a case was registered against Gaurav Yadav under Sections 3/7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
