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Time of India
02-07-2025
- Time of India
Telangana factory blast: Forensics races against time to identify victims; teams working 24x7
HYDERABAD: With most victims charred beyond recognition in the devastating explosion at the Sigachi factory, the Telangana Forensic Science Laboratory (TGFSL) has taken on the crucial task of identifying the deceased through DNA profiling. A team of around 10 forensic experts is working round-the-clock to match DNA samples of the victims with those of their relatives. So far, 50 sets of samples have reached TGFSL-collected from both the remains and family members. "Our teams are working 24x7. Whatever samples we are receiving, we are processing immediately. In cases where we have both the victims' and family members' samples, identification will be faster. The first set of results is expected within 24 hours," said TGFSL director Shikha Goel. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad However, she said delays may occur in cases where family members, especially those from outside Telangana, are yet to submit their samples. "We are still awaiting DNA samples from some families. The timeline will depend on how quickly those are made available." Despite the challenges, Goel confirmed that the lab has sufficient materials and equipment to conduct DNA fingerprinting tests for all victims. The first identifications are expected by Wednesday evening. Despite the extreme condition of the remains, TGFSL experts said DNA-based identification is progressing swiftly and with scientific precision. Sangareddy district superintendent of police Paritosh Pankaj told TOI, "We have sent the samples to TGFSL. So far, 36 deaths have been confirmed. Eleven bodies have been identified, while 25 remain unidentified. We are still tracing more remains." The scale of burns and disfigurement has rendered standard identification methods ineffective, making forensic DNA testing the only reliable route. TGFSL is drawing from its experience in handling mass fatality cases. In the 2013 bus tragedy in Mahbubnagar, where 45 people perished in a fire, then AP FSL successfully used DNA profiling to identify victims. Hyderabad is also home to the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), a national institute with an extensive history of working on complex disaster identifications. In 2014, CDFD played a key role in identifying 22 charred bodies from the Mangaluru air crash. The centre has contributed to high-profile cases, including identification of victims in Uttarakhand flash floods and missing persons in Punjab. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Time of India
Toll touches 36, chem unit mgmt charged with attempted murder
HYDERABAD: Death toll in the explosion at Sigachi Industries' multi-storey pharma plant in Telangana's Pashamylaram climbed to 36 by Tuesday evening as rescue teams pulled burnt bodies from the collapsed structure. DNA profiling is underway to identify the severely burnt victims, with 15 still unaccounted for. Police charged Sigachi's management for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, grievous hurt, and attempted murder under BNS, acting on a complaint by Rajanala Sai Yashwanth, son of a deceased worker. His father, a long-time employee, and other workers had repeatedly warned management about ageing machinery, Yashwanth said. "This was not an accident - it was waiting to happen." The Rs 500-crore facility operated without a fire department NOC. Fire officials said the plant lacked basic safety systems - no fire alarms, heat sensors, automatic shutdowns. There were no blast-resistant walls or roofs in processing zones that handled microcrystalline cellulose - an inflammable material prone to static electricity. No third-party safety audits were conducted in recent years. 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 Undo T'gana announces Rs 1 crore payout for each victim A criminal probe is underway, and arrests are likely after forensic and official reports are submitted. The explosion, triggered around 9.20am Monday by a suspected dryer malfunction in the quality control unit, occurred two hours after over 60 workers reported for duty. At the time, 143 employees were on-site. One of the 35 injured died at a private hospital. Authorities said 58 survivors have been located. Search operations by 200 firefighters, 30 NDRF, and SDRF personnel have ruled out survivors under the rubble. "For now, the missing may either not have reported to work or are among the unidentified dead," said Y Nagi Reddy, director general of Telangana Fire Services. Four teams from Telangana Forensic Science Laboratory (TGFSL) are processing over 50 DNA samples. "We're working round-the-clock. The first set of results is expected within 24 hours," said TGFSL director Shikha Goel. Standard identification was impossible due to severe burns. Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy visited the site, announced Rs 1 crore compensation for each deceased worker's family, Rs 10 lakh for critically injured, and Rs 5 lakh for minor injuries. This is India's deadliest pharma manufacturing disaster to date, surpassing the 2024 Escientia Bio Pharma blast in Andhra Pradesh that killed 17.
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Telangana Forensic Lab is now ‘examiner of digital evidence'
The Telangana Forensic Science Laboratory (TGFSL) was designated as a 'Government Examiner of Electronic Evidence' under Section 79A of the Information Technology Act 2000, by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, on Wednesday. With this notification, the NABL-accredited TGFSL is now empowered to examine, analyse, and certify digital evidence. This development not only enhances the admissibility of such evidence in courts across the country but also boosts the lab's legal authority and institutional credibility. 'The lab's Digital Forensics Division handles an average of 50 cases a month involving diverse digital storage formats and devices that include damaged hard drives and mobile phones. This wing has contributed significantly to several high-profile convictions in Telangana,' said Director General of TGFSL Shikha Goel. Notably, TGFSL has also set a national benchmark by prioritising forensic reports in POCSO cases, in accordance with Supreme Court directions.
