Dombivli factory blast: Owner remanded in police custody till May 29

“Two bodies were recovered on Saturday of which one was identified as Rajesh Rajput while the other is unidentified. We have also found some more body parts around the spot,” a senior official from Kalyan Dombivli Municipal corporation said.

The officials said the remains of Rajput (40) was found under the debris of a neighbouring unit. He worked as an operator there.

“His remains were located after his two fingers were seen trapped under the debris. We suspect he got trapped under a wall that collapsed due to the massive explosion in Amudan Chemicals Pvt Ltd’s company,” said an official.

On Wednesday afternoon, the boiler exploded at a unit owned by Malti Mehta (70) and her son Malay Mehta (38) in Dombivli. Initially, eight were reported dead and 68 others injured.

The Thane police on Friday registered a case under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by using dangerous weapons or means), 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 286 (negligent conduct involving explosive substances), 427 (mischief) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC and also relevant sections of the Explosive Act 1884, Explosive Substances Act and Section 4 of Damage to Public Property Act.

Later on Friday, Malay was arrested from Nashik. His mother Malti was not arrested but served a notice to join the investigation later. The two are Ghatkopar residents. Malay was produced before court on Saturday. Seeking 14 days’ custody, the police told the court that they want to check whether Malya and his other company employees followed due safety measures while storing substances that could cause an explosion.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Parag Manere said, “From Malay Mehta we want to understand who are the other partners of the company. Also what kind of materials were brought inside the unit that caused the explosion.”

“We also want to check whether a safety audit was conducted in compliance with the authorities from the fire brigade,” said an investigator, adding, “apart from Malti and Malay, we also want to understand who are the other key members of the company.”