Latest news with #ExplosivesAct
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Punjab Police bust Pakistan ISI-backed BKI terror module, 3 arrested
Punjab Police on Friday said they have busted a Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed terror module, Babbar Khalsa International, with the arrest of three people, including a juvenile. Two hand-grenades, a pistol, and ammunition were recovered from the members of a terror module busted by the State Special Operation Cell, Mohali, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said on Friday. State police chief Gaurav Yadav said the group was conspiring to carry out attacks on police establishments and targeted killings in Amritsar district. 'A major terror plot has been foiled, saving countless innocent lives,' the director general of police (DGP) said. In a post on X, Yadav said, 'In an intelligence-led operation, the State Special Operation Cell, Mohali, has successfully busted a Pakistan ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International terror module, being operated by UK-based Nishan Singh and Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Rinda. Three associates, including a juvenile, have been arrested.' 'During the operation, two hand-grenades, a pistol, and ammunition were recovered. The nabbed accused have been identified as Sehajpal Singh and Vikramjit Singh, both residents of Ramdas in Amritsar Rural, along with a juvenile,' he said. An FIR has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Explosives Act at SSOC, Mohali, police station. Investigation is underway and more arrests are expected, the DGP said.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Time of India
Minor among five nabbed in petrol bomb attack case
Indore: Pardesipura police have arrested five people, including a minor in petrol bomb attack that took place last week in the city. The mastermind behind the incident, Rohit Dhangar, who previously served jail term for murder and is involved in 13 other criminal cases, was also arrested. The incident occurred around 10:30pm on the night of June 13 on Road No. 9 in Pardesipura, where two unidentified individuals riding a numberless motorcycle threw a petrol bomb and a crude explosive device filled with nails and gunpowder near the residence of complainant Lokesh Khopde. An FIR was registered under sections 296, 125, 351(3), and 3(5) of the BNS, and later expanded to include sections 326(G), 61(2) BNS, and relevant provisions of the Explosives Act. A by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Walgreens Hides This Cheap 87¢ Generic Cialis Health Alliance by Friday Plans Undo cting on the directive of senior police officials, ACP Himani Mishra led the investigation. A thorough review of over 100 CCTV footages and technical analysis helped police identify and detain Rohit Dhangar. During questioning, Rohit confessed to planning the attack with his brother Vishal Dhangar, and accomplices Sahil alias Cherry Rajbhar, Lucky alias Guppi Solanki, Jayesh alias Lucky Chawda, and a minor. The group provided motorcycles and guidance to two outside operatives who carried out the attack. Police revealed that the accused attempted to conceal their identities by changing clothes before and after the incident and coordinated their movements from Indore to Dewas bus stand. The vehicle used in the crime, a two-wheeler allegedly gifted to one of the accused as dowry, has been seized. Vishal Dhangar remains absconding, and efforts to trace the source of the explosives are underway. All the arrested individuals have a criminal background and face multiple prior charges. The police have initiated proceedings to open gang history sheets for them and are planning district externment action.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Time of India
HC pulls up officials for lapses in preventing cracker unit accidents
Madurai: Madras high court has reprimanded officials of PESO, police, as well as industrial safety and health departments for their oversight in preventing frequent accidents in fireworks units, causing loss of workers' lives in Virudhunagar district. The court called for details of cases registered in the last five years while issuing a series of directions to officials to take steps to prevent such accidents. Justice B Pugalendhi said the repeated pattern of accidents — 131 deaths and 146 serious injuries between 2019 and 2023 in the region — suggests a chronic absence of inspection, enforcement, and accountability. "The regulatory bodies, despite knowing the hazardous nature of the work and workers' vulnerability, failed to discharge their constitutional obligation under Article 21 to protect the right to life of citizens working in high-risk industries. This lapse cannot be termed accidental; it is structural and ongoing," observed the judge. The judge noted that in the Achankulam fireworks accident case in Sivakasi, retired Justice K Kannan committee's report found subleasing of licensed premises, overcrowding, untrained workers, chemical mixing in open areas, and locked exits as major causes of the blast. Though a criminal case is registered for various offences whenever an accident occurs, investigations are conducted mechanically. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "It appears that FIRs registered in 2019 and 2020 remain pending in 2024. There is no engagement of explosive experts, no forensic reports, and no meaningful determination of the cause," it said. Sections 9(1) and 9A of the Explosives Act mandate cause-based investigation and remedial recommendations, apart from the criminal investigation. However, these provisions are routinely overlooked, and neither the district collector nor the Controller of Explosives, PESO, have suggested any viable remedial measures. The judge asked the DGP to ensure that fire accidents involving explosives are investigated by personnel equipped with adequate technical knowledge, with due assistance from forensic experts. Under Rule 11 of the Explosives Rules, each factory is mandated to appoint a qualified foreman and a safety officer/supervisor (BSc Chemistry) in the ratio of 1:50 workers. However, these roles are often vacant or filled without proper qualification. Though the rules also mandate periodic safety audits, and adherence to quantitative and procedural restrictions, none of these safeguards were meaningfully implemented. The industrial safety and health department, which bears statutory responsibility to oversee factory safety under Factories Act and Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, is critically understaffed, the judge said. The judge directed the Director of Industrial Safety and Health to ensure strict enforcement of safety norms under various statutes, including compliance with licensing limits, mandatory appointment of safety personnel, periodic inspections, and safety training. According to rules, a district magistrate or district revenue officer is empowered to issue licenses when the total quantity of explosives, including raw materials, processed material, and finished goods, does not exceed 15kg. Quantities ranging from 15kg to 500 kg fall under the jurisdiction of the controller of explosives, PESO, and those above 500 kg under chief controller of explosives, PESO. However, it has come to light that DROs have issued licenses beyond their jurisdiction by permitting multiple sheds or exceeding the 15kg limit. Such licenses are patently invalid. The judge directed the chief controller of explosives, PESO, to take necessary steps to scrutinise licensing practices in Sivakasi and other firework clusters and take appropriate action wherever licenses are found to be issued in excess of the legal limits. The court said that in cases where it is established, upon inquiry that the accident occurred due to the employer's fault, including non-compliance with licensing conditions, safety protocols, or subleasing of premises, the licensing authority shall take appropriate action, including cancellation of licence. "The responsibility to regulate hazardous industries is statutory, not discretionary," observed Justice Pugalendhi.
Express Tribune
19-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Courts sentence multiple offenders
The Anti-Terrorism and Sessions Courts in Rawalpindi district on Thursday awarded strict punishments to convicts involved in cases of explosives recovery, murder, and narcotics trafficking. In a major decision, special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Amjad Ali Shah sentenced five individuals to a combined 65 years of imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs500,000 each in a case concerning the possession of explosive materials. The court also ordered the confiscation of all movable and immovable properties of the convicts. The case, registered by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on September 12, 2023, named Abdul Rashid, Rizwanullah, Luqman Khan, Wahid Khan, and Irfanullah as the accused. In the event of non-payment of fines, each convict will serve an additional six months in prison. The court awarded seven years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 5 of the Explosives Act, three years and a fine of Rs50,000 under Section 11-F(6) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, and three years and another Rs50,000 fine under Section 11-W of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The time already spent in custody will be counted as part of their sentence. Following the ruling, all five convicts were transferred to Adiala Jail. In a separate murder case, Additional District and Sessions Judge Rai Afzal Hussain Kharal sentenced Zafar Mehmood to death and imposed a fine of Rs1m for the murder of a young man, Abdul Karim, over a property dispute in Gujjar Khan. The case was registered on March 13, 2010, after which the convict fled and remained at large until his arrest last year. Additionally, in two separate narcotics smuggling cases, the court sentenced two individuals to a total of 18 years of imprisonment and imposed fines totalling Rs160,000. Muhammad Akhtar, arrested with 1,600 grams of narcotics from Dhamyal, was sentenced to nine years and fined Rs80,000. Khial Muhammad, arrested with 1,400 grams of narcotics from the Saddar Wah area, also received a 9-year sentence and a fine of Rs80,000. All three convicts were also shifted to Adiala Jail following their sentencing.
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- The Hindu
Devise framework for rehabilitation of survivors of industrial accidents in Tamil Nadu: Madras High Court
Taking a serious view of frequent fire accidents in fireworks units in Virudhunagar district, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has asked the State to evolve a structured rehabilitation framework for victims families, including educational support for children, widow pension, and housing security, so as to address the long-term impact of such tragedies. Justice B. Pugalendhi observed that the repeated pattern of accidents — 131 deaths and 146 serious injuries between 2019 and 2023 in the region — only suggested a chronic absence of inspection, enforcement, and accountability. The regulatory bodies, despite having knowledge of the hazardous nature of the work and the vulnerability of the workers, had failed to discharge their obligation under Article 21 of the Constitution to protect the right to life of citizens working in high-risk industries. This lapse cannot be termed accidental. It is structural and ongoing. The court observed manufacture, possession, and sale of fireworks were regulated under the Explosives Act, 1884, and the Explosives Rules, 2008. The District Magistrate or the District Revenue Officer was empowered to issue licences only where the total quantity of explosives, including raw materials, processed material, and finished goods, did not exceed 15 kg at a time. Quantities ranging from 15 kg to 500 kg fell under the jurisdiction of the Controller of Explosives and those above 500 kg under the Chief Controller of Explosives. However, it had come to light that the DROs had issued licences beyond their jurisdiction. Such licences were patently invalid, the court observed. Sivakasi, known as the 'fireworks capital of India', contributed over 90% of the country's production. Its dry climate, minimal rainfall, and humidity made it ideal for fireworks, but the conditions heightened the risk of explosions. Virudhunagar district was classified as an Aspirational District by NITI Aayog, reflecting persistent underdevelopment. The area suffered from critical groundwater scarcity, negligible agricultural activity, and limited industrial diversification. Workers had no alternative but to work in these dangerous factories, fully aware of the risks. These were not choices made freely, but under compulsion of survival, the court observed. According to the judge, there is widespread non-compliance and endangerment of lives. Whenever an accident occurs, investigations into such accidents are conducted in a mechanical fashion. The FIRs registered in 2019 and 2020 remain pending in 2024. There is no engagement of explosive experts, no forensic reports, and no meaningful determination of the cause. The report of a committee, headed by retired judge K. Kannan, formed by the National Green Tribunal to look into the cause of Achankulam accident in Sivakasi, found subleasing of licensed premises, overcrowding, untrained workers, chemical mixing in open areas, and locked exits as major causes of the blast. The cumulative effect of illegal licensing, absence of safety measures, ineffective inspections, and casual investigations point to a breach of Article 21. The State is liable for failure to protect life in hazardous employment. The court was hearing the petition filed by four Scheduled Caste women who lost their husbands in a fire accident at a fireworks unit in Ettakkapatti in Sivakasi in 2014. Though ₹5 lakh to each of the victims was recommended, the government in 2015 sanctioned only ₹1 lakh as ex gratia compensation. The petitioners sought the release of the balance amount and a suitable employment to a family member each. The court enhanced the compensation amount to ₹10 lakh each and directed the State to pay the compensation amount in eight weeks. Pointing out the reasons, the court observed the deceased were engaged in the fireworks industry, which was not only classified as a 'hazardous occupation', but also regulated as a dangerous operation. The workers were allowed to operate in unprotected environments, with no formal training, no protective gear, and no regulated safeguards. The working conditions made accidents not just probable but inevitable. The court pointed to the failure of the State in discharging its Statutory and Constitutional duties. The court also referred to the Supreme Court judgment in Safai Karamchari Andolan to enhance the compensation. The victims' families were from socially and economically weaker sections, with dependent children and no sustainable alternative income. The effect of the accident was not only immediate but perpetual, warranting compensation that reflected both the economic and human dimension of the loss. The State could not escape responsibility where its agencies had failed to prevent an accident in a dangerous industry. The award of compensation was not penal but declaratory of the constitutional breach, and ₹10 lakh per family was a fair, just, and proportionate recognition of the same, the court observed. The judge directed the Director of Industrial Safety and Health to ensure enforcement of safety norms under the Explosives Act and the Explosives Rules, the Factories Act and the Factories Rules, including compliance with the licensing limits, mandatory appointment of safety personnel, periodic inspections, and safety training. The safety of workers in hazardous industries should be treated as a matter of utmost priority. The Chief Controller of Explosives, PESO, Nagpur, shall take necessary steps to scrutinise the licensing practices in Sivakasi and other firework clusters and take appropriate action wherever licences were found to be issued in excess of the legal limits prescribed under the Explosives Act and Rules, the court directed. The Director General of Police must ensure fire accidents involving explosives are investigated by personnel equipped with adequate technical knowledge, with due assistance from forensic experts and in accordance with the mandates of the Explosives Act. Severe understaffing in the Industrial Safety and Health Department made it nearly impossible to conduct regular inspections, enforce statutory safety measures or respond in time to violations. Without adequate technical personnel and supervisory infrastructure, compliance could not be expected. The judged expressed clear expectation that in cases where it was established, upon enquiry or investigation, that the accident occurred due to fault of the employer, including non-compliance with the licensing conditions, safety protocols or subleasing of premises, the licensing authority should take appropriate action, including cancellation of the licence. The responsibility to regulate hazardous industries was statutory, not discretionary.
