Team Herald
MARGAO: The Cuncolim police have registered an offence against the management and staff of Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd., Verna Industrial Estate, for allegedly violating safety regulations regarding the storage and transportation of propellant (gunpowder), leading to the blast and fire accident at Magazine No.1 of the warehouse last Thursday.
The police have booked the accused under Sections 223, 288, 326(g), and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Sections 5, 6 read with 9B and 9C of the Explosives Act, 1884.
According to Cuncolim police, the case is based on a complaint filed by Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Manohar L. Karekar on March 20. The complaint alleges that the company failed to adhere to the safety guidelines and standing instructions issued during the licensing process for handling explosives.
Further investigations revealed that, on March 22, the company illegally stored 11,000 kg of gunpowder in Magazine No.2 without obtaining the necessary licence from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). This was in violation of Licence No. 34/01/2024/EXP/MAG/M.0.4555, dated November 12, 2024, issued by the District Magistrate, South Goa.
Authorities have accused the company of failing to inform police, fire officials, and other emergency responders about the additional stock of explosives in Magazine No.2 during the rescue operation at Magazine No.1. The negligence allegedly endangered human lives and property.
Meanwhile, Salcete Mamlatdar has sealed the godown used to store gunpowder, and Cuncolim police have sealed the exhibits at the scene of the explosion.