Hapur factory explosion: Unit operator arrested
Hapur (UP): The operator of a factory here was arrested on Sunday, a day after an explosion at the unit claimed 13 lives while 20 people sustained injuries, police said.
Wasim had fled the factory premises after the explosion. He sustained burn injuries on his hands and there were stitches
on his head as well, a police official said, adding he received
first-aid after the incident and took off.
"The operator was arrested on Sunday afternoon from the Hapur-Meerut bypass," SP Deepak Bhuker told. "We are providing medical treatment to him," he said.
An FIR has been registered against the owner and the operator of the factory, police said.
The explosion took place on Saturday at Ruhi Industries in the Dhaulana area.
"So far, 13 people have been killed, while 20 are injured. The injured are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Meerut," Bhuker said.
He added that 11 out of the 13 deceased have been identified, and they are from Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh) and Bihar.
Inspector General of Police Praveen Kumar said the factory was licensed to manufacture only electronic goods, and an investigation is underway to ascertain how explosives reached there.
The police said they suspect crackers were being manufactured in the factory.
Bhuker said factory owner Dilshad and operator Wasim have been booked under IPC sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance), 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery), 304 (culpable homicide), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 337 (act endangering human lives) and 338 (causing grievous hurt).
The victims' bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, the SP said.
DM Medha Roopam said an investigation is underway. "Factories in the area are being checked, and soon, the reality of the incident will come to the fore and strict action will be taken against the accused," she said.
At the time of the incident, there were around 30 people at the factory in the UPSIDC Industrial Area in Dholana.
