Chander Shekhar, the factory manager of NR Aroma Industries (where the massive fire broke out), was arrested today. Meanwhile, the state government has set up a special investigation team to investigate lapses in fire safety management at the factory that left one woman dead, nine people missing and 31 injured on Friday.
A police spokesperson confirmed that an FIR was lodged in the fire incident that occurred on February 2, 2024 in Baddi, Solan district.
On February 2, 2024, at around 1:30 p.m., a large-scale fire incident was reported at NR Aroma, a major perfume manufacturing company in Jarmajiri, Barotiwala.
The FIR has been filed under Sections 285 (Negligent acts relating to fire or combustible material), 336 (Acts endangering life or personal safety of others) dated February 2, 2024 at Barotiwala Police Station. Registered on 14/24. 337 (injury by act endangering the life or personal safety of another) and 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
3. Considering the gravity of the incident, preliminary findings and site visit, the Himachal Pradesh Police Commissioner has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter. .
The SIT will include Additional Superintendent of Police Ashok Verma, Deputy Superintendent of Police Khazana Ram and SI Sanjay Sharma, station officer of Bharatiwala.
The SIT will visit the spot to collect evidence and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhbinder Singh, who protects the princess's responsibility and law and order, is likely to visit the spot today.
Police are currently conducting an urgent search for nine people reported missing after the fire.
According to the investigation so far, there were a total of 85 people inside the factory at the time of the fire. Thirty people were admitted to various hospitals with injuries, one woman was taken to PGI as deceased and the rest are reported to be fine.
Himachal Pradesh Police responded to the emergency immediately upon receiving the distress call, demonstrating their commitment to public safety and crisis management. Around 12 fire engines from HP, Haryana, Punjab and local industries were called in to fight the fire.
Immediately after the accident, many factory workers were injured by jumping from the 15-meter-high factory wall. Video footage from the scene shows that emergency response was delayed and local residents rushed to overwhelm factory workers trapped in the factory building.
CITU State Secretary Vajinder Mehra expressed shock over the incident and said he had convened a meeting of the Baddi Mill Workers' Union in Shimla to inquire into the whereabouts of the 13 workers who were reported missing in the accident. expressed.
The Himachal Pradesh Police has appealed to the public to immediately contact the Police Control Room if they have any information regarding the missing persons.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is currently working to assess the structural safety of the site and remove harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide.
Following clearance, the HP Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team will conduct spot checks and collect the necessary evidence.
