Raids on eateries with illegal gas cylinders

Dhoble has struck yet again, this time around on owners of small time eateries in Santacruz area for stashing illegal cylinders in their kitchens.

On Saturday, ACP Vasant Dhoble of Vakola division along with his team conducted a raid at a tea stall and a dairy and seized twenty eight illegal commercial LPG cylinders.

“These cylinders were being used illegally without acquiring requisite licenses including permit from fire brigade and other permissions from BMC. Also, multiple cylinders were stored in congested spaces increasing the risk of a potential explosion,” said ACP Dhoble.

The raid that begun at 10am lasted for close to two hours and targeted local restaurants and small time eateries around Dutt Mandir Road at Vakola in Santacruz east.The cylinders have been handed over to the Vakola police station for further inquiry and investigation.

The owners were booked under Section 285 of Indian Penal Code for negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter leading to an imprisonment of upto six months. The police are investigating as to how owners of the restaurants acquired cylinders. They will also investigate the culpability of the distributors who supplied them with these cylinders. Earlier a month ago, Dhoble had conducted similar raids and seized 8 to 10 illegal cylinders in the area.