The tragic blast at a firecracker factory in Deesa, located in Banaskantha district of Gujarat, has reached the Supreme Court. The incident occurred on April 1, resulting in the deaths of 17 workers, including several teenagers. Families of the deceased are now seeking compensation of 2 crore rupees each from the government. Lawyer Utkarsh Dave filed the petition, which has been accepted by the Supreme Court. Following this, the court issued notices to key officials, including the Gujarat government, the Chief Secretary, and the Secretary of the Home Department, as well as the Banaskantha Collector. The next hearing is scheduled for September 29.
The blast was reportedly caused by a boiler explosion within the factory, leading to the collapse of the ceiling and trapping many workers inside. The explosion was so powerful that it resulted in significant damage, scattering body parts across a wide area. Eyewitnesses described the scene as horrific, with debris strewn up to 200 meters away from the site. Emergency services responded quickly to control the fire and rescue the injured.
In the aftermath, the factory owner, Deepak Mohan, has been arrested, while his father, Bhukhchand Mohan, remains at large. The state government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. Officials confirmed that a report had been submitted to the government, but no actions have been taken so far, prompting the victims’ lawyer to demand immediate compensation and a thorough investigation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced an additional compensation of 2 lakh rupees for the families of the deceased through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). This incident has raised concerns about safety regulations in firecracker factories, with many calling for stricter oversight.
Gandhinagar MP Geniben Thakor highlighted the need for accountability and called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the factory’s operation. She stated that this incident reflects a worrying trend of negligence in ensuring worker safety in similar industries across Gujarat. Many believe that if appropriate precautions had been taken, this tragic incident could have been avoided.
Local authorities, including Banaskantha District Collector Mihir Patel, confirmed that they are in constant communication with the administration to ensure proper relief and support for the victims and their families. The emotional toll on the families affected by this disaster cannot be overstated, as they grapple with the loss of their loved ones while seeking justice and accountability.
As the Supreme Court prepares for the next hearing, the public and the families of the victims are hopeful that this tragedy will lead to significant changes in safety regulations for firecracker factories in Gujarat. There is a strong desire for justice, accountability, and improved safety standards to prevent such devastating incidents from happening again in the future.