Nagpur blast: Owner, manager of explosives factory held, granted bail

Nagpur police commissioner Ravinder Singal said, “Prima facie it appears that there was no malafide intention on the part of the two accused, due to which section 304 (A) has been implied and they managed to secure bail. However, to ensure that there are no lapses in our investigation, I have appointed a deputy commissioner of police to conduct a thorough inquiry.”

According to police, the explosion took place at around 1 pm on Thursday when the workers were packing explosives inside the factory of Chamundi Explosive Private Limited in Dhamna village, which is about 25 kilometres from Nagpur city.

The deceased are Pranjali Kisna Modere (22), Prachi Srikant Phalke (19), Vaishali Ananda Kshirsagar (20), Monali Shankar Alone (25), Sheetal Ashish Chatap (30) and Pannalal Bandewar (60), while three other workers Shraddha Vanraj Patil, Pramod Chavare and Dansa Mhraskolhe who sustained severe burns are said to be critical.

Police suspect that a friction while packing the explosives with excess force would have triggered a spark in one of the explosive cords, leading to the blast. Experts have been roped in to help determine the cause of the explosion.

After a primary investigation, a case was registered under sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance, 304 (A) (causing death by negligence) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code.

Meanwhile, BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari visited the spot on Friday and met senior officials. Speaking with the reporters, Gadkari said that the state government will provide a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the family of the deceased, apart from the Rs 25 lakh that the factory authorities have promised to provide each family.

Demanding that a case of culpable homicide be registered against the culprits, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, who is leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, also sought compensation and a monthly pension for the families.