A case of murder has been filed against the owner, manager, labor contractor and operator of the factory where seven workers died in a fire in Rajasthan’s Bhiwadi on Monday.
Police said four people are being interrogated. (PTI)Bhiwadi Superintendent of Police Prashant Kiran said the four are being interrogated, and action will be taken accordingly. A First Information Report has been filed against the four under Section 103 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code.
Additional Superintendent of Police Atul Sahu said the factory was illegally manufacturing firecrackers and employing workers without providing security measures. “It was registered as a ready-made garment manufacturing unit in the name of a man named Rajendra Kumar. Police recovered several packing boxes containing firecrackers, gunpowder and other inflammable materials, suggesting that they were illegally manufacturing firecrackers and some small explosives,” Sahu said.
On Monday, at least 16 people were working inside the unit when three explosions occurred. A video from a nearby CCTV footage showed an explosion before the fire broke out.
“A forensic team was immediately called to examine the area. It is yet to be ascertained how the explosions took place. The fire engulfed the area so quickly due to the presence of combustible material trapping around 11 workers. The gate of the manufacturing unit was probably locked at the time of the explosion,” said Sahu.
By the time the police and fire brigade reached the spot, seven of the workers had died, while four others were rescued in critical condition and referred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi.
Among the seven killed, Mintu Paswan, Sujant Paswan, Ajit Kumar, Ravi Kumar and Shyam Amresh Paswan were residents of East Champaran in Bihar.
The authorities have ordered to inspect all factories in the area and take action against those violating rules or running them illegally.
