Lucknow: A sub-inspector and a constable were suspended on Saturday for laxity during the investigation into the cylinder explosion case in Dubagga on Friday.
DCP West Zone, Omveer Singh, said the gas refilling operation had been ongoing for the past 4-5 months and the accused had moved the gas refilling work and godown to the house of Rohit Gupta in Shahpur Bhamaroli village, under the Dubagga police station area.
"Immediately after the explosion, in which six people, including two children, were injured, the ACP of Malihabad was instructed to conduct a probe to identify any laxity on the part of the local police. The beat in-charge, SI Ram Sewak Rana, and beat constable Manoj Kumar were found negligent regarding the illegal activities in their area. They should have been aware of the illegal gas refilling operation and conducted raids based on information from their sources. As a result, both were suspended, and an inquiry was launched," said the DCP.
A case has been registered against seven individuals, including Rohit Gupta, for allegedly engaging in illegal gas refilling, hoarding, and black marketing of domestic and commercial gas cylinders.
Supply inspector Ashok Kumar Chaurasia filed a complaint after discovering a large stockpile of gas cylinders being used for unauthorised activities. Following proper procedures, permission was sought from the district magistrate, leading to the registration of an FIR under Case No. 420/2024, under Sections 3/7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The accused are alleged to have violated regulations by illegally refilling cylinders and selling them at inflated prices.