Dombivli factory blast: Owner remanded in police custody until May 29

The site of Dombivli factory blast/ Satej Shinde

A court in Thane district has ordered the owner of the chemical factory in Dombivli, where an explosion killed nine people and injured over 60, to be held in police custody until May 29. The accused, Malay Mehta (38), owner of Amudan Chemicals, was produced in the Kalyan magistrate court.

Thane city police wanted 14 days in custody to determine whether more people were engaged in the Dombivli factory blast. The police indicated that the explosion caused significant damage and that they needed to investigate the involvement of multiple people, reported PTI.

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According to the report, Mehta's lawyer claimed that the factory had the essential approvals and followed procedures. However, an intervener agreed with the police's request for incarceration and further questioning in the Dombivli factory blast. After hearing all parties, the magistrate ordered Mehta to stay in police custody until May 29.

The Ulhasnagar unit of the Crime Branch is now in charge of the inquiry of the Dombivli factory blast. The police have issued a FIR against the factory's owners, directors, managers, and supervisory personnel. The offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) include culpable homicide (section 304), voluntarily causing harm, and negligent behaviour with regard to combustible materials and explosives. Additional charges have been imposed under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the Explosive Substances Act, the report added.

According to the FIR, the company failed to take proper precautions when combining chemicals, handling finished products, and storing supplies, despite knowing that any error could result in an explosion. This neglect resulted in the Dombivli factory blast on Thursday, which killed people and damaged adjacent houses and properties. The blast was powerful enough to shatter the windows of nearby houses and damaged cars, roads, and electric poles in the area.

Dombivli factory blast: KDMC appeals people to contact civic hospital if their kin are missing

The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) in Thane district, Maharashtra, has asked locals to approach a civic hospital if any of their family members went missing following the recent Dombivli factory blast. The KDMC announced the establishment of a helpline at the civic-run Shastri Nagar Hospital. Citizens can contact the support desk at 0251-2481073 or 0251-2495338.

Officials indicated that estimating the precise number of fatalities is difficult because body parts have been collected from the scene. DNA tests will be needed to confirm the death toll.

With PTI inputs