An ex-serviceman, Satbir Singh Chauhan, and his daughter Tannu have died from severe burns suffered in a gas explosion at their residence in Hans Nagar, Rewari, on July 5. The tragedy has deepened as Tannu, who was scheduled to marry in November, succumbed to her injuries at a Delhi hospital and was cremated on July 10. Her father passed away the following day.
Incident Details and Cause
The explosion occurred when Tannu switched on an electric iron, igniting accumulated natural gas inside the home. According to the police complaint filed by Satbir's wife, Madhu, her husband had earlier noticed a strong gas smell near the gate due to a leakage during pipeline testing by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL). This leakage allowed a large quantity of gas to build up within the house. The blast also injured neighbor Jai Bhagwan, a two-year-old niece Khushi, and Madhu herself, who sustained burns while trying to rescue others.
Legal Action and Investigation
Based on Madhu's complaint, Rewari police have registered a case under Sections 288, 287, 125(b), and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, against an unnamed official of IGL. The complaint alleges that the company's negligence in pipeline testing led to the gas leak and subsequent explosion. Local Municipal Councillor Devender Sharma confirmed that residents had been complaining about a gas odor for two days before the blast. After the incident, senior IGL officials visited the site and took corrective measures, eliminating the smell.
Impact and Safety Concerns
Sharma called for strict action against those responsible for the lapse, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies. The deaths have cast a pall over the family and the community, highlighting the dangers of gas pipeline infrastructure when proper testing and maintenance are not ensured. The police investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the pipeline and the company's procedures.
