Udupi: Man arrested for illegal storage and sale of LPG cylinders

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Jun 5, 2026: Malpe police have arrested a man for allegedly storing and selling commercial LPG cylinders without the required licences and documentation.

The accused has been identified as Sanath R. Kamath (43), a resident of Malpe in Kodavoor village of Udupi taluk. Acting on credible information that commercial LPG cylinders were being illegally stored and sold, officials from the Food Department, accompanied by Malpe police personnel, conducted a raid at around 10.45 am on June 3.

The raiding team included Food Administration Officer Asha K. (53) and Food Inspector Hitesh U.B. from the Udupi Taluk Office, along with Malpe Police Sub-Inspector Anil Kumar and his staff.

During the inspection, officials found a total of 21 commercial LPG cylinders stored on the premises. These included 12 commercial cylinders of 19 kg capacity, one of which was filled with LPG, and nine commercial cylinders of 5 kg capacity.

During questioning, Sanath Kamath reportedly admitted that he had stored the commercial cylinders for sale to individuals engaged in fishing-related activities. However, he failed to produce any licence or documents authorising the storage or sale of the cylinders.

Food Department officials seized all the cylinders under a mahazar and subsequently lodged a complaint with the Malpe police. Based on the complaint, a case was registered.

Police took Sanath Kamath into custody near Malpe Junction on the evening of June 3. During interrogation, he allegedly admitted to storing and selling LPG cylinders without a valid licence. He was later produced before a court for further legal proceedings.

Further investigation is underway.