Delhi Police New Delhi District arrested one for blackmarketing of oxygen cylinders
New Delhi, May 5
Delhi Police New Delhi District arrested one for blackmarketing of oxygen cylinders.
The accused was identified as Neeraj Banga (47) from Faridabad who has been booked under sections 420, 188, 120B, 34 of the Indian Penal Code and 3/7, Essential Commodities Act & 3, Epidemic Diseases Act.
The police stated information was received that one person has been hoarding and black marketing oxygen cylinders and other equipments used for treatment of critically infected Covid-19 patients.If he is apprehended, such material can be recovered from him.
The police laid a trap to apprehend the accused. The police was contacted through phone and a deal was fixed for providing three oxygen canisters for emergency use of a Covid-19 patient. He demanded Rs. 5100/- for three oxygen canisters at Rs. 1700/- each which are actually priced in the market at Rs. 400/- each. He was called to deliver the three oxygen canisters and a trap was laid. During the delivery of the three Oxygen canisters, he was apprehended and subsequently arrested.
During the further raids, six more oxygen canisters, and mobile phone used in the black marketing were recovered from his possession.It was found that he has also been dealing in black marketing Pulse Oxymeters and Oxygen Concentrators. He had recently sold an Oxygen Concentrator at almost double price.
The police added that the accused was earlier running a business of selling miscellaneous medical equipments/articles through his stall at various exhibitions etc. However during the Covid-19 pandemic, he realized that oxygen supply related material/equipment for critically ill Covid-19 patients were scarce and extremely high in demand. So, he decided to misuse these crucial times to reap benefits for himself and started hoarding oxygen supply related material/equipment from unsuspecting distributors, telling them that he needs them for his stall. He then used to sell all these materials to critically ill Covid-19 patients at outrageous prices, as they had no other option but to buy them at such high prices in order to save their lives.
The police are further investigating the case.
