In a significant development six months after one of India's worst industrial disasters, the Telangana police on Saturday arrested the managing director and chief executive officer of Sigachi Industries, Amit Raj Sinha. He was taken into custody in connection with the catastrophic explosion at the company's manufacturing unit in the Pashamylaram industrial area of Sangareddy district, which claimed 54 lives.
The Arrest and Judicial Proceedings
Amit Raj Sinha was produced before a magistrate and subsequently sent to 14 days in judicial remand at the Kandi central jail. The arrest marks a pivotal moment in the slow-moving investigation into the tragedy that has drawn sharp criticism from the Telangana High Court. Alongside Sinha, five other management officials have been formally charged under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These sections, 105, 110, and 118 (1) and (2), pertain to serious safety violations and criminal negligence.
A senior officer from the BDL Bhanur police station in Sangareddy confirmed the ongoing nature of the probe, stating, "We are continuing our investigation to ascertain the role of the individuals responsible for the failures that led to the disaster."
Recalling the Deadly June 30 Blast
The incident, which occurred on June 30, stands as the deadliest disaster in the history of India's pharmaceutical sector. The powerful explosion ripped through the dryer unit of the factory, resulting in immediate chaos and devastation. While many workers died from burns on the spot, numerous others succumbed to their severe injuries in the following days. The tragedy also left over 30 individuals injured.
A haunting aspect of the disaster is that eight workers remain officially unaccounted for, as their mortal remains could not be retrieved or identified from the wreckage.
Investigations Point to Gross Negligence
Multiple investigative reports, including one from a special five-member technical expert committee appointed by the Telangana government, have pinpointed the cause of the blast. The committee, comprised of senior chemical scientists and safety officers, concluded that the explosion was caused by a massive build-up of temperature and pressure inside the dryer.
This dangerous accumulation was a direct result of poor maintenance and inadequate cleaning procedures at the facility. The reports unequivocally pointed to negligence on the part of the Sigachi management, exposing a severe absence of critical safety protocols and a lack of qualified technical staff. The findings stressed an urgent need for stricter enforcement of fire and safety norms, especially in units handling hazardous materials.
High Court's Scrutiny and Compensation
Over the past several months, the Telangana High Court has repeatedly expressed its dissatisfaction with the sluggish pace of the investigation into the Sigachi explosion. In November, the court pointedly asked the state government why no arrests had been made despite the availability of witness statements and prima facie evidence, months after the incident.
More recently, the court directed Sigachi Pharma to submit detailed accounts of the compensation already disbursed and proposed for the families of the deceased, missing, and injured victims. The next hearing in this matter is scheduled for December 30. The court's active monitoring has kept sustained pressure on the authorities to ensure accountability for the profound loss of life.
The arrest of the company's top executive brings a measure of progress in a case that has highlighted systemic safety failures in industrial zones. It underscores the critical importance of corporate responsibility and rigorous regulatory oversight to prevent such preventable tragedies in the future.
