INDORE: In a major breakthrough, Dewas police on Thursday arrested the primary accused and alleged owner behind the Tonk Kalan firecracker factory blast that claimed six lives earlier this month. The accused, Mukesh Vij, was taken into custody at New Delhi airport moments after he landed from Guangzhou, China. One other individual was also arrested in connection with the case.
Details of the Arrest
Dewas Superintendent of Police (SP) Puneet Gehlod confirmed that Mukesh Vij had been absconding since the explosion at the illegal firecracker unit in the Tonk Kolan area of Dewas district. The massive blast ripped through the factory, killing six workers and leaving several others injured. Investigators consider Vij one of the key persons responsible for the operations of the factory where the fatal explosion occurred.
Acting on a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against him, a special Dewas police team stationed at the airport intercepted Vij after his arrival on Thursday morning. Another absconding accused, Mahesh Chauhan of Uttarakhand, was also arrested from Delhi during the ongoing investigation.
Investigation and Crackdown
The arrests are part of an intensified crackdown launched under the supervision of Dewas SP Puneet Gehlod, who constituted a 13-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case, trace the absconding accused, and collect technical and scientific evidence. Police had also announced a reward of Rs 10,000 each on the absconding accused.
A day after the blast, police had arrested factory license holder Anil Malviya and main contractor Mohammad Ayaz. Two days ago, factory co-operator Kapil Vij was also arrested from Delhi.
Ongoing Raids and Investigation
Police teams have been conducting continuous raids in Delhi and other states to track those linked to the factory’s ownership, management, and procurement network. Senior officers stated that the investigation is examining all aspects of the firecracker unit, including licensing violations, storage of explosive material, and operational lapses that led to the deadly blast.
The arrest of Mukesh Vij marks a significant step forward in the case, as authorities continue to ensure that all those responsible for the tragedy are brought to justice.
