2 held for selling O2 cylinders at high rates

Noida Police on Saturday held two men, who worked at an industrial gas filling centre, for allegedly black marketing oxygen cylinders which are in high demand due to a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases.

“We got a tip-off that the centre was selling and refilling oxygen cylinders for an inflated price, following which two police personnel in plainclothes went there for investigation. The shop was closed, but the oxygen cylinders were sold at high prices from a vehicle nearby. When our officers approached the suspects, they asked for ₹2,000 and said that the cylinders will be given the next day,” according to Rajesh S, deputy commissioner of police (zone 1).

The suspects — identified as Sector 9 residents Arvind Kumar and Vivek Kumar — were booked at the Sector 20 police station under relevant sections of IPC and Epidemic Act. They were produced before a magistrate and later sent to jail. Police have seized two 47-litre oxygen cylinders and ₹650 from their possession.

The cylinders, that usually cost between ₹600 and ₹700, were allegedly being charged over ₹2,000, according to police. During questioning, the accused blamed their employer, who is on the run. Earlier, Noida Police had also nabbed a Delhi-based man on April 20 for hoarding Remdesivir injections. Police had recovered 105 injections from his possession that were later released by the court for treatment. The suspect was later found to be Covid-positive, following which cops who had apprehended him were tested. Their reports are yet to come.