Cracker unit owner held, sent to judicial custody

New Delhi: A night after the national capital shook to the tragedy of Bawana fire where as many as 17 people were burnt alive, the police on early Sunday morning arrested the owner of the firecracker factory, Manoj Jain.

According to the police, the accused Manoj Jain who ran the factory, has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible material. The maximum punishment under these sections is 10 years.

Investigation ordered into the tragedy revealed it was a factory of “cold firecrackers” used in stage shows and Holi celebrations, said Rajneesh Gupta, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini).

“On Sunday morning, the accused was produced before the duty magistrate who sent him to judicial custody. The police will request for production of the accused before a regular magistrate and that he be sent to police custody tomorrow,” Mr Gupta added.  .

It may be noted that the supervisor kept by the factory owner at the premises namely Ajit Ranjan has also died in the incident. Jain had rented the factory from January 1. The other partner of Jain has been identified as Lalit Goel.

Meanwhile continuing its investigation into the tragic incident, the police have so far has managed to identify 14 people who died in the fire, including, the unit supervisor and his son.

The process to ascertain the identity of the rest is still underway. The police clarified that the three bodies yet to be identified include one female and two males.

On Sunday, a team from Forensic Science Laboratory visited the factory again and conducted a search of the premises for around four hours along with the assistance of police. The team sent the samples picked up at the factory site for detailed examination.