Gas agency worker disappears LPG cylinders collected from 30 customers

Indore: Amid rumours of LPG shortage in the city, a fraud case surfaced from Banganga area where a gas agency worker allegedly collected empty cylinders from 30 households and disappeared. It is suspected that the accused sold the cylinders in the black market. The case came to light after complaints piled up against Mukesh Sonone, an employee associated with a gas point godown.ACP Rubina Mizwani said according to the complaint, the accused approached customers claiming their refill turn had arrived and assured them of quick delivery. Using this pretext, he collected empty cylinders from 30 consumers, but failed to supply filled ones. The matter escalated when customers began following up for their refills. Neither were the cylinders returned nor did the accused respond to the calls. His mobile phone remained switched off and he has not been traced at his residence. Officials said he has not reported to work since March 22.The complainant alleged that the cylinders linked to the agency were illegally sold in the black market. After verifying details from affected customers, the agency approached police and filed a complaint.Tension briefly flared outside the godown a few days ago when aggrieved customers gathered and protested over non-delivery of gas cylinders. Following this, the agency lodged a formal complaint against its own employee.Banganga police registered a case of cheating against Sonone on Thursday and launched a search to trace him.