In the heart of Maharashtra’s industrial landscape, the serene yet bustling Dombivli MIDC area was shattered by a devastating explosion on May 23. This catastrophic event at Amudan Chemicals Private Limited has left an indelible mark on the community, with the echoes of the blast resonating far and wide.
As the dust begins to settle and the community grapples with the aftermath, the wheels of justice start their slow, solemn turn. Malay Mehta, the 38-year-old owner of Amudan Chemicals, finds himself ensnared in the relentless grip of the law. Remanded in police custody until May 29, he faces grave charges that echo the tragedy’s profound sorrow, casting a shadow over his fate.
According to a spokesperson from the Thane city police, a magistrate court in Kalyan on May 25 remanded the owner of the chemical factory in Dombivli, where a catastrophic explosion claimed 11 lives and injured more than 60 in police custody.
The police sought 14 days of Mehta’s custody, informing the court of their need to visit the factory site and determine if additional individuals were implicated in the crime. The explosion’s damage was extensive, and the police intended to scrutinize the involvement of many in this tragic incident.
Mehta’s lawyer passionately argued that the company possessed all necessary permissions and strictly adhered to regulations. Yet, an intervener stood firm with the police, advocating for custody and thorough interrogation. Weighing the fervent pleas, the magistrate decided to remand Mehta in police custody until May 29. The Ulhasnagar unit of the crime branch has now taken the reins of the investigation, with an FIR filed against the company’s owners, directors, management staff, and the officials who oversaw the factory.
The police have leveled charges against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 34 (common intention), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by using dangerous weapons or means), 285 (negligent conduct with fire or combustible matter), 286 (negligent conduct involving explosive substances), and 427 (mischief). Furthermore, they face charges under sections 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Explosive Act of 1884, sections 9(b) and 9(c) of the Explosive Substances Act, and section 4 of the Damage to Public Property Act.
According to the FIR, the company had neglected crucial precautions in mixing chemicals, handling final products, and their storage, fully aware that any oversight could lead to a catastrophic explosion, threatening the company and surrounding structures. These lapses culminated in the devastating explosion on May 23, resulting in tragic fatalities within the premises and in neighboring businesses. The blast’s ferocity was such that it shattered windowpanes of nearby houses and damaged cars, roads, and electric poles, leaving a trail of destruction.
In court, Mehta’s lawyer insisted the factory had all necessary approvals and adhered to established procedures. However, an intervener supported the police’s request for Mehta’s incarceration and further questioning regarding the Dombivli factory blast. After hearing all parties, the magistrate ordered Mehta to remain in police custody until May 29.
The Ulhasnagar unit of the Crime Branch has now taken charge of the investigation into the Dombivli factory blast. The police have registered an FIR against the factory’s owners, directors, managers, and supervisory personnel. Charges include culpable homicide (section 304), voluntarily causing harm, and negligent behavior regarding combustible materials and explosives under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Additional charges have been filed under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the Explosive Substances Act.
Amidst the ruins and the whispered echoes of that tragic day, a name reverberated through the halls of justice and the minds of the affected – Amudan Chemicals. The owner of this ill-fated establishment now stands at the center of a legal maelstrom, remanded in police custody. This decision has both calmed and stirred the stormy seas of public opinion.
The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) in Thane district has urged locals to visit a civic hospital if any family members are missing following the recent Dombivli factory blast. The KDMC has set up a helpline at the Shastri Nagar Hospital, with support available at 0251-2481073 or 0251-2495338.
Officials have conveyed that estimating the precise number of fatalities remains a daunting task, as fragmented remains have been found amidst the wreckage. DNA tests are necessary to ascertain the full extent of the loss, casting a somber shadow over the true magnitude of the disaster.
It was a day like any other, where the hum of machinery and the rhythm of daily life intermingled in harmonious chaos on the ill-fated afternoon. Yet, in a heartbeat, everything changed. The earth shook, the skies darkened with an ominous plume of smoke, and a cacophony of fear rippled through the hearts of its residents. The MIDC Dombivli blast was not just an explosion; it was a seismic tremor that sent shockwaves through the community, leaving scars that time struggles to heal.
The day began like any other, with factory workers donning uniforms, ready to embrace another day of toil. The factories in the MIDC area buzzed with activity, a testament to human endeavor and the relentless march of progress. However, within the walls of Amudan Chemicals, an unseen hand was at play, orchestrating a symphony of catastrophe. The blast that ensued was not just an industrial accident; it was a manifestation of neglect, a tragedy born out of human error and systemic failure.
At approximately 1:40 pm on that ill-fated day, a boiler at Amudan Chemicals, located in Phase 2 of the Dombivli MIDC area, erupted with catastrophic force. The explosion, its tremors felt miles away, claimed 11 precious lives and left over 80 individuals injured, marking a tragic chapter in the community’s history. The explosion was so powerful that it damaged several neighboring factories and residential properties within a 4-kilometer radius. The force of the blast overturned vehicles and left a scene of utter destruction in its wake, miles away.
Witnesses recount the horror with eyes still wide from the memory. A deafening roar shattered the afternoon calm, followed by a shockwave that knocked people off their feet. The ground trembled as if the earth itself was mourning the loss. Flames licked the sky, a terrifying dance of destruction, as plumes of toxic smoke billowed upwards, darkening the afternoon.
The sheer force of the blast, followed by an ensuing blaze, wreaked havoc on adjacent factories and homes, damaging rooftops within a 4-kilometer radius. Even Ganesh Bhuvan, a nearby eatery, bore the brunt of the explosion’s devastation.
The explosion’s impact extended far beyond the confines of Amudan Chemicals. Six to seven neighboring factories suffered extensive damage, significantly affecting residential properties. The intensity of the blast damaged roads, electric poles, and even shattered windowpanes of houses nearby.
Several drums filled with volatile chemicals detonated sequentially, igniting a massive inferno. The state Industries and Labour Department later revealed that the factory’s boiler was not registered under the India Boiler Regulations, 1950.
Amidst the chaos, the workers’ families frantically searched for their loved ones. Hospitals in the area were overwhelmed with casualties, and the local police stations were inundated with missing person reports. The atmosphere outside Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli was a poignant mix of grief, anger, and desperation as families waited for news about their kin.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said Amudan Chemicals produced food colors and utilized highly reactive Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), which can trigger fierce explosions under certain conditions.
NDRF Assistant Commandant Sarang Kurve recounted, “We received information about the incident around 3 p.m., and our team was dispatched from Andheri West. When we arrived, the fire tenders were attempting to control the conflagration. One team was actively working while another remained on standby. Corrosive gases like Hydrogen Peroxide and sulfuric acid fumes are hazardous, so our teams were equipped with adequate protective gear.”
By May 24, reports confirmed that 11 people died and numerous others were injured in the boiler blast. Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Sambhaji Shinde ordered an inquiry and announced compensation for the victims, with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis assuring relief efforts at the incident site.
Kalyan Tehsildar Sachin Shejal stated that four individuals, including many women from nearby factories, were injured and are receiving treatment in at least six different hospitals. AIMS Hospital in Dombivli is currently treating two dozen patients, while the bodies of the deceased have been sent to government hospitals for post-mortem examinations.
Ten fire engines were deployed to combat the blaze, and firefighting efforts continued until past 11 pm on May 23. “Now, cooling operations are underway,” informed Kailas Nikam of the Disaster Management Cell of Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC).
In the wake of this tragedy, the echoes of the explosion still reverberate through Dombivli, serving as a heartbreaking reminder of the delicate nature of safety and the catastrophic consequences when it is breached.
The atmosphere outside Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli was heavy with grief and anger on Friday. Families, hearts laden with despair, searched desperately for their loved ones who had worked in the factories near Amudan Chemical Private Limited, the site of the catastrophic blast on May 23.
Each family arrived after a harrowing journey, having visited multiple hospitals where the injured had been rushed and the police station in their frantic search. Among the missing was Manish Kumar Das, a 22-year-old employee of Cosmos Company. His family, unable to locate him, was consumed with worry.
“I have been looking for him since morning, visiting at least five hospitals, and now I’ve filed a missing person complaint. He had just started working for the company a month ago. A contractor hired him, but now the contractor denies his hiring and is not helping us,” said Soni Gautam, Das’s distraught sister.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Parag Manere, “Malati Pradeep Mehta was detained by the Nashik police based on information provided by the Thane police, while Malay Mehta was detained in Thane.
According to sources, out of the 14 injured workers from Cosmos Company, three remain in critical condition, and one has tragically succumbed to injuries. The blast’s intensity was devastating, damaging six to seven neighboring factories and several residential properties.
“No factory can be moved in a day, and factories in Dombivli should be given alternative space. We have been discussing shifting factories for a couple of years. Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has not done anything about this; show me one proof that he has moved a file”
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis
A Manpada police official confirmed that at least six complaints about missing persons have been received since Friday. To aid in the identification amidst the chaos, a forensic team has been deployed for DNA analysis of body parts. “Shastri Nagar Hospital received eight bodies, with two bodies handed over to their families after identification. The remaining six bodies are charred beyond recognition, necessitating DNA tests,” said a police official.
By Friday, the total death toll from the blast had risen to 11. Hospital authorities reported, “So far, the total number of injured has been ascertained at 68, with 42 discharged and 26 currently admitted, 12 of whom are in the ICU. The injured were rushed to seven hospitals, including Neptune, AIMS, SVM Hospital, Shivam Hospital, Shastri Nagar Hospital, and Rukmini Hospital.”
A MIDC official emphasized the need for a minimum 500-meter buffer zone between residential areas and industries. The official stated, “We are only responsible for allotting plots and providing basic facilities; the rest lies with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) regarding permissions. The boiler inspector from the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health is responsible for safety audits.” According to data from MIDC, Dombivli, the MIDC spans 247 hectares, houses 848 companies, and includes residential areas.
Meanwhile, Fadnavis commented on the need to shift industries, saying, “Any factory cannot be moved in a day, and factories in Dombivli should be given alternative space. We have been discussing shifting factories for a couple of years. Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has not done anything about this; show me one proof that he has moved a file.”
Chief Minister Shinde has called for a high-level inquiry into the Dombivli boiler blast incident. He also declared a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for each family of the deceased and assured that the government would cover the medical expenses for the injured, extending a hand of solace to those affected by the tragedy.
As the dust settled and the cries of the bereaved echoed in the corridors of power, the quest for justice began. Amudan Chemicals, the disaster’s epicenter, was thrust into the spotlight. Investigations were launched, revealing a tangled web of regulatory failures, lapses in safety protocols, and a blatant disregard for human life.
The owner of Amudan Chemicals, a figure once shrouded in the mundane anonymity of industrial operations, became a symbol of corporate culpability. Public outrage demanded accountability, and the legal machinery creaked into motion. On the surface, the owner’s arrest and remand seemed like a step towards justice, a measure of solace for those who had lost so much.
In the face of such a harrowing event, the resilience of the Dombivli community shines through. Amidst the ashes, there is a quiet strength, a determination to rebuild and honor the memories of those lost. Grassroots organizations have sprung up, dedicated to providing support and aid to the affected families. These solidarity acts of shared humanity serve as a balm to the wounded souls.
The MIDC Dombivli blast is a stark reminder of the fragile balance between progress and safety. It underscores the need for stringent safety regulations and a robust framework prioritizing human lives over industrial gain. The Amudan Chemicals owner’s remand is a step towards accountability, a crucial chapter in the unfolding narrative of justice.
Yet, justice is not just about legal retribution; it is about healing, about ensuring that the pain and loss lead to meaningful change. It is about creating a future where such echoes of tragedy are not repeated, where the lessons learned pave the way for a safer, more conscientious industrial landscape.
There is a sense of hope in the silent moments as the sun sets over Dombivli, casting a gentle glow over the rebuilt structures. Hope that the sacrifices of the lost will not be in vain and that their memories will inspire a commitment to safety and humanity. Hope that the echoes of the blast will not just be a haunting reminder of a tragic past but a catalyst for a safer, brighter future.
The story of Amudan Chemicals is a cautionary tale, a testament to the dire consequences of negligence and the moral imperative of corporate responsibility. The legal proceedings against the owner are a crucial step in seeking justice. Still, they also open the door to a broader conversation about industrial safety, regulatory oversight, and the value of human life.
As we tread the path ahead, we must carry the poignant lessons gleaned from this tragedy. To honor the memories of those we have lost, we must ensure that such a harrowing event is never repeated. The echoes of the MIDC Dombivli blast will continue to reverberate. Still, they can inspire a commitment to change to a future where such tragedies are averted and human lives are valued above all else.
