Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
The Telangana High Court issued notices to the state’s Industry, Labour, and Home Departments and other officials after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Sigachi factory blast. At least 46 people were killed in the explosion that occurred at the Sigachi Industries factory in Pashamylaram, Sangareddy, on June 29.
The PIL was filed by retired scientist from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), K Babu Rao. The petitioner also pointed out that no arrests have been made in the case so far, and the full compensation is yet to be paid to the victims’ kin. The PIL asked for the reports of the government's high-powered committees probing the incident to be released. It also sought a speedy investigation.
On Thursday, July 31, a division bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin heard the PIL and asked the respective departments to submit detailed affidavits in three weeks, Indian Express reported.
The Chief Justice ordered the departments to provide detailed records, including the number of workers employed, number of workers present at the time of the incident, action taken over the incident, and compensation paid to victims’ kin, according to The Times of India.
The petitioner’s counsel also pointed out that even a month after the incident, eight workers were yet to be traced.
When the Chief Justice asked if any arrests were made, the state’s counsel reportedly informed him that no one had been apprehended so far.
The Bhanoor police in Sangareddy district had registered an FIR against the management of Sigachi Industries under Sections 105 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), and 117 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Calling the incident a wake-up call, the Chief Justice said it was the duty of all officials involved to ensure not just that action is taken as per law, but also that the regulatory regime is strengthened.