59 workers killed in 9 explosions across Vidarbha in 3 years, High Court told

Nagpur: In a deeply troubling revelation before the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) has exposed a pattern of deadly negligence across explosive manufacturing units in Vidarbha. Over the past three years, 59 workers have lost their lives and 28 others have suffered serious injuries in blasts reported from just nine factories.

The disclosures came through an affidavit submitted on Thursday in response to court directives issued on April 9 during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by labour leader Jammu Anand.

According to the affidavit, a total of 27 explosive manufacturing companies are operational in Vidarbha. Of these, 12 are in Nagpur district, seven in Chandrapur, five in Wardha, two in Akola and one in Bhandara.

What raises serious concern is the recurrence of blasts at the same facilities. The affidavit confirms that explosions occurred twice each at major units like SBL Energy, Solar Industries India, and Bhandara Ordnance Factory. Single incidents were also reported at units such as Asian Fireworks, Chamundi Explosives, and Vidarbha Fireworks Industries.

Despite this significant industrial footprint, the affidavit suggests that oversight mechanisms have failed to keep pace with the risks, allowing repeated fatal incidents.

Six criminal cases, yet licence renewed

In perhaps the most alarming finding, DISH confirmed that six criminal cases are currently pending against Rakesh Tiwari, Manager of SBL Energy, for alleged violations of factory and safety regulations. These cases are being heard in the court of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate.

Yet, despite these serious charges, the company’s licence was renewed from March 21, 2024 to December 31, 2027.

This raises a critical question:

How are repeat violators allowed to continue operations in such a high-risk industry?

No inspection during licence renewal.

Equally disturbing is DISH’s admission regarding its own processes. The agency stated that:

• Physical inspections are conducted only when issuing a new licence

• No on-site inspection is carried out during licence renewal

• Renewals are granted based solely on online document verification

This procedural gap effectively means that units with prior violations or unsafe conditions may continue operations unchecked, relying only on paperwork compliance.

The affidavit paints a disturbing picture, not just of industrial accidents, but of systemic regulatory lapses:

• Repeat explosions at the same facilities

• Ongoing criminal cases without operational consequences

• Licence renewals without physical verification

• A rising toll of deaths and life-altering injuries

For workers in these hazardous industries, the risks appear not incidental, but structural.

The division bench comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj Wakode has taken the affidavit on record and scheduled the next hearing for April 30.

Advocate Arvind Waghmare appeared on behalf of the petitioner.

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