Factory head of NR Aroma arrested, State government forms SIT
Factory head of N R Aroma Industry (where major fire broke out) Chander Shekhar was arrested today. Meanwhile State Government gormed a Special Investigation Team to probe the negligence of fire safety in the factory which led to death of one woman nine are missing and 31 were injured on Friday.
A police spokesperson confirmed that FIR had been lodged into the fire incident occurred at Baddi, District Solan on 02.02.2024.
A major fire incident was reported at N.R Aroma, a leading perfume manufacturing company located in Jharmajri, Barotiwala, on February 2, 2024, at approximately 1330 hrs(1:30 PM).
An FIR has been registered under No. 14/24 dated February 2, 2024, at the Police Station Barotiwala, under sections 285 (Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
3. In light of the gravity of the incident, the preliminary findings and after visiting the spot, the Director-General of Police, Himachal Pradesh, has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
The SIT would include the Additional Superintendent of Police, Ashok Verma, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Khazana Ram, and the Station House Officer of Barotiwala, SI Sanjay Sharma.
The SIT would visit the site to collect evidence and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu who look affer the charge of hime and law and order likely to visit the spot today.
The police are currently conducting an urgent search for 9 individuals reported missing following the fire.
As per the investigation so far, total 85 persons were in the factory at the time of the fire. 30 are admitted in various hospitals with injuries, one female was brought dead to PGI and the rest are reported safe.
The Himachal Pradesh Police, upon receiving the distress call, promptly responded to the emergency, showcasing their commitment to public safety and crisis management. About a dozen fire tenders, from HP, Haryana, Punjab and local industries were pressed into service to control the fire.
Soon after the mishap number of factory workers suffered injuries as they jumped from 15 meters high walls of the factory. A vedio shoot on the spot indicates that emergency response was delayed and local people rushed to bring down the factory workers trapped in the factory building.
CITU State Secretary Vajinder Mehra expressed shock over the incident he said that he had convened a meeting of Baddi factory workers union at Shimla to find out the where about of 13 workers who are reported missing in the mishap.
The Himachal Pradesh Police appeals to the public for any information regarding the missing individuals to contact the Police Control room immediately.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is currently assessing the structural safety of the site and working to clear it of hazardous gases such as Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Sulphide and Sulphur Dioxide.
Following the clearance, a HP Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team would conduct a spot inspection and collect necessary evidence.