Fraudulent cooking gas bookings alleged after Seema Arora receives delivery SMS

Officials are examining alleged black marketing and fraudulent cooking gas bookings after Seema Arora, wife of BJP MLA Shiv Arora, received a delivery message without making a booking. Other consumers at Dua Gas Agency reported similar SMS alerts and booking blocks, claiming cylinders were shown as supplied. The MLA asked local officials to look into the complaints.

Officials said an alleged black marketing racket linked to fake cooking gas bookings surfaced after Seema Arora received an unexpected delivery alert. The connection in Seema Arora’s name is registered with Dua Gas Agency at Bhurani Mod. On March 18, a message claimed a cylinder was delivered. Officials said no booking was placed and no delivery arrived.

When BJP MLA Shiv Arora visited the gas agency on Sunday, several consumers were already there. Officials said the consumers reported similar alerts. They alleged messages showed cylinders as delivered on their connections. Consumers said these updates appeared even when no one in the family booked a refill.

Cooking gas bookings complaint and consumer claims

Consumers also alleged issues while booking through mobile phones. Consumers said the system told them the booking date had not arrived. Consumers claimed it happened because a cylinder was already marked as supplied. Officials said the complaints suggested cylinders were being shown as booked on customer connections.

Arora reprimanded the gas agency owner during the visit. Arora said, "there is no shortage of cooking gas, but due to brokers and black marketers, consumers are being forced to move from place to place to obtain cylinders.\" Officials said the allegation pointed to diversion of cylinders through intermediaries.

Cooking gas bookings probe and possible action

Arora directed Tehsildar Dinesh and Food Supply Inspector Malkit Singh to act. Officials said both reached the spot during the complaint. Arora asked for strict steps, officials said. The directions included cancellation of the agency’s licence and registration of a case if facts support action.

Officials said an investigation into the matter is underway. The inquiry is focusing on how delivery messages were triggered without valid bookings. Officials said the complaints came from multiple consumers at the agency. Officials have not yet shared findings, but said further action will follow based on the probe.

With inputs from PTI