Firecracker Explosion at Govt Event in Chitrakoot: Magisterial probe ordered, all 4 victims were minors

Initially, the victims could not be identified as they had suffered severe burns. On Thursday, they were identified as Prabhat Patel (10), Yash Mishra (11), Paras Sharma (10), and Mohit (15) — all residents of the area and hailing from lower middle class families.

The UP Department of Tourism event was being organised by a private event management firm at a college ground.

The police have detained two persons of the Mumbai-based company that was responsible for the fireworks display, including the company’s owner Harsh Kamdar, and his associate Pankaj Jaat.

The FIR has been registered against the private firm on various charges, including culpable homicide.

As forensic teams reached the spot on Thursday to collect evidence, police said that their investigation is “looking into all the angles”. ADG (Prayagraj Zone) Bhanu Bhaskar said a deputy SP will investigate the case.

Police suspect the children, driven by curiosity, had approached the stockpile of firecrackers, when the explosion took place. “All the details of the incident will be thoroughly examined during the magisterial inquiry,” a senior administrative official said.

Meanwhile, the incident led to anger among the residents and heavy police force was deployed. Initially, the families of the deceased boys had refused to perform the last rites, demanding free and fair probe. The situation was resolved after intervention by senior administrative and police officials.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced a probe by a committee under the Additional Director General (ADG)-rank officer into the incident. He also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for those injured.