Jaipur fire: 9 cops suspended as questions mount over administrative negligence

Police Commissioner Mittal said negligence related to public safety would not be tolerated, adding that a committee headed by Additional Police Commissioner (Crime) Ajay would probe the fire, including adherence to rules and safety norms.

The commissioner also directed all district police officers in Jaipur city to launch a special survey and inspection drive to identify illegally operating factories, warehouses, firecracker storage units and other hazardous establishments and ordered door-to-door surveys to detect illegal storage and handling of explosives and firecrackers.

According to police sources, the illegal factory was allegedly being operated a man identified as Firoz, a resident of Delhi.

Meanwhile, area residents alleged that complaints about the unit had been ignored in the past. Arman Malik, who lives near the factory, said firecracker manufacturing had been taking place there for nearly two years behind locked doors. “A fire broke out at a firecracker factory here a year ago as well. Police visited the premises but no action was taken,” he alleged.

Adarsh Nagar MLA and Congress chief whip Rafiq Khan expressed grief over the deaths and accused the BJP government of administrative failure, alleging that illegal firecracker units operated openly in Jaipur.

“The loss of lives, including that of a child, is deeply tragic. The existence of such illegal and hazardous units in the state capital reflects serious negligence on the part of the administration,” Khan said. He demanded a high-level inquiry into the incident, strict action against guilty officials and those responsible for operating the factory, and adequate compensation for the families of the deceased.

Police officials said efforts were underway to determine the exact cause of the fire and implement corrective and preventive measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.