Karnataka: Four Arrested For Stealing LPG Cylinders From Schools Across Bidar District; 55 Cylinders Recovered

The operation was carried out after Bhalki Rural Police Sub-Inspector Ashok Patil received credible information that a group of accused were transporting stolen LPG cylinders in a car towards Udgir in neighbouring Maharashtra with the intention of selling them.

Acting on the information, a police team, under the supervision of Bidar Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti, Additional Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Poojari and Bhalki Sub-Division Deputy Superintendent of Police Balappa Nandagavi, laid a trap near Beeri (B) Cross on the Bidar-Udgir Road.

The team, led by Circle Police Inspector Hanamareddappa, intercepted the vehicle and detained the four occupants for questioning.

Bidar SP Pradeep Gunti told reporters that the accused targeted government schools and Anangwadis by breaking open the locks of kitchen rooms during the night and stole LPG cylinders supplied for the preparation of mid-day meals.

According to the police, the accused admitted to carrying out thefts in 27 villages of Bhalki taluk, eight villages of Humnabad taluk and one village of Basavakalyan taluk.

Based on the information provided by the accused, the police raided a tea stall near Dadgi Cross in Bhalki taluk where the stolen cylinders had allegedly been concealed. During the search, officers recovered 55 LPG cylinders, comprising 33 Bharat Gas cylinders, 16 Indane cylinders and six HP Gas cylinders.
The four accused have been produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

SP Pradeep Gunti commended the officers and personnel of the Bhalki Rural Police for cracking the case and recovering the stolen property.