Explosives firm’s licence revoked

Sources in the PESO,formerly the department of explosives,told The Indian Express that RECL’s licence was suspended when it became clear that the manufacturer had violated guidelines for sale of explosives. Also,licences of 19 magazines owned by Jaikishan Aswani,Shivcharan Heda and Deepa Heda and Devendra Thakur,all the accused in the Sagar case,have been cancelled.

PESO’s Nagpur-based headquarters had asked its circle and sub-circle offices for details of magazines owned by the accused in various states. Licences for magazines as also the road vans,for which separate licences have to be taken,have been cancelled.

The modus operandi used in Ashoknagar and Sagar was similar. The earlier 61 consignments were diverted for unauthorised use in Rajasthan,Maharashtra and Gujarat.

One Anil Dhupar,who owned Sangam Explosives in Chanderi in Ashoknagar district,had struck an illegal partnership with Rajendra Choube by selling his magazine to him in 2007. Owners can’t sell their licensed premises directly to anyone. without first surrendering the licence. In this case,the licence had expired on March 31,2010 but Choube applied for renewal and sent the application by post to avoid detection. The Bhopal sub-circle office of PESO claimed that a letter denying permission for renewal was sent to Dhupar who was asked to appear personally because the licence was issued in his name. When he did not turn up,an officer was sent to Chanderi where the magazine is located.

The condition of the magazine suggested that explosives were being indented in its name but never reached here.

IG Anvesh Manglam said the same network was involved in Sagar and Ashoknagar cases. The police have declared a reward of Rs 10,000 each for any information on Devendra Thakur,the owner of Ganesh Explosives,Aswani,Shivcharan and Deepa.