Jaipur: Main suspect held in firecracker unit explosion that claimed 8 lives

Jaipur: City police Tuesday arrested the alleged owner of a building used for illegal firecracker manufacturing and storage following a devastating explosion and fire that killed eight people earlier this month in the city’s Kho Nagoriyan area.

Additional DCP (East) Alok Singhal identified the accused as Qayoom Khan, 50. “He had rented out the building for the illegal firecracker related works,” Singhal added.SHO Kho Nagoriyan Prakash Ram said the arrest was made in connection with the June 9 explosion and fire at an illegally operated firecracker unit functioning from Talai under Kho Nagoriyan police station limits. "The accused also allegedly played a key role in providing logistical support and arranging labour for the operation,” he said.The blaze and subsequent explosions killed eight people and brought renewed scrutiny on the illegal manufacture and storage of explosive materials in residential neighbourhoods. Police said preliminary investigation revealed that the building where the incident occurred belonged to Khan, who had allegedly allowed it to be used for illegal firecracker-related activities.Given the seriousness of the case, a special investigation team was constituted under the supervision of Additional DCP Alok Singhal. The team was led by ACP (Malviya Nagar) Vinod Sharma and included personnel from Khoh Nagoriyan police station and the District Special Team (DST). According to investigators, Khan, along with co-accused Yakub Khan and Firoz, fled to Delhi after the explosion.

Police said intelligence inputs, technical surveillance and field investigations helped track the accused. Investigators are trying to determine the exact role of all those involved in the operation of the illegal unit and are also examining whether the accused had links to earlier cases involving the unlawful storage or manufacture of firecrackers. Police said efforts are continuing to trace and arrest the remaining accused.