In the Asian Fireworks and Explosives Company blast case, Kalmeshwar Police have arrested the company’s owner from Raipur in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. The accused was on the run for a month after the blast at the company had claimed life of two workers. The arrested accused has been identified as Sohail Ali Ajgar Ali Amin, a resident of Plot No 9, Chitnispur Layout, Byramji Town, Nagpur. His anticipatory bail was rejected by the court on February 22. Sohail Amin was on the run.

 

The investigation team led by SDPO Anil Mhaske arrested Amin from Kotwali area of Raipur in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. Amin has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, as he was found guilty of operating the company without adhering to safety norms. The company’s manager, Mustafa Saifuddin Shegaonwala, was arrested by Kalmeshwar police on Sunday evening.

 

Both accused have been charged under Sections 106(1), 288, and 125(b) of the BNS for the deaths of two workers and the serious injuries sustained in the blast that took place on February 16. It should be noted that officials from the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) also conducted an inspection of the blast site. They reported that DISH had issued a notice to the company on July 1, 2024, to shut down operations due to a lack of safety facilities. However, the company continued to operate despite receiving the notice. The arrest was made under the guidance of SP Dr Harssh Poddar.