Police seize 461 LPG cylinders in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur over alleged black-market sales

Kathmandu, September 11, 2026 — Police have seized 461 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders from different locations in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur amid an ongoing cooking gas shortage, following complaints that cylinders were being sold at inflated prices.

A team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office carried out inspections at several locations on Thursday after receiving information that consumers were being charged significantly more than the government-set price for LPG cylinders.

Police seized 183 cylinders from Narephat and another 189 from Basundhara in Kathmandu. In Bhaktapur, 75 cylinders were confiscated from Suryabinayak and 14 from Itachhen, bringing the total number of seized cylinders to 461.

Superintendent of Police Rameshwar Karki of the Valley Crime Investigation Office said LPG cylinders were reportedly being sold for as much as Rs 5,400 each in Suryabinayak and Itachhen. In Narephat, the reported price had reached Rs 2,500 per cylinder, while cylinders in Basundhara were being sold for up to Rs 2,600.

Karki said police have begun investigating allegations of black-market trading and excessive pricing. The seized cylinders have been kept under police custody while the investigation continues.

The seizure comes as consumers in Kathmandu Valley continue to face difficulties obtaining cooking gas amid the supply shortage. Police said further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.