LUDHIANA, March 13, 2026 — Amid a growing LPG crisis in Ludhiana, Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma has ordered a city-wide crackdown on hoarding and the unauthorized sale of cooking gas. The directive mandates that all SHOs conduct immediate inspections of suspected storage sites and take decisive action against those found selling cylinders at exorbitant rates.
The Commissioner affirmed that the police department is prepared to deal firmly with anyone found disrupting the supply chain. He declared that the scrutiny would not be limited to local shopkeepers but would also include a thorough investigation into gas agency officials. Sharma asserted that if any official is found complicit in selling stocks at inflated prices, they will face immediate legal action.
“Action will be taken if any official is found selling cylinders in the black market,” the Commissioner stated. He noted that the objective is to ensure fair distribution to residents who have been forced into panic buying due to recent scarcity.
Law enforcement officials maintained that the illegal practice often involves a network of shopkeepers and agency staff working in tandem. Authorities also declared that the crackdown aims to address safety concerns, as illegal refilling frequently accompanies hoarding activities. The police department affirmed that regular patrolling and surprise checks will be conducted across all 28 station areas to prevent further exploitation of the public.
