The Newz Radar
SOLAN: The Himachal Pradesh government has constituted a police special investigation team (SIT) to probe the fire incident at a prominent perfume-manufacturing factory in Barotiwala industrial zone of Solan district.
“In light of the gravity of the incident, the preliminary findings and after visiting the spot, Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu announced the formation of the SIT to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter,” the police said in a statement. The SIT will include Additional Superintendent of Police Ashok Verma, Deputy Superintendent of Police Khazana Ram and Station House Officer of Barotiwala Sub-Inspector Sanjay Sharma.
“The SIT will visit the site to collect evidence and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The Himachal Pradesh Police assures the public that the investigation will be conducted professionally and that every effort will be made to provide justice to the affected parties,” the DGP said in the statement.
The fire incident was reported at NR Aroma, a leading perfume-manufacturing company located in Jharmajri, Barotiwala, on Friday (February 2, 2024) at around 1.30 pm. “The Himachal Pradesh Police, upon receiving the distress call, promptly responded to the emergency. About a dozen fire tenders from HP, Haryana, Punjab and local industries were pressed into service to control the fire.
An FIR has been registered (under No. 14/24) at the Barotiwala police station under sections 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code.
The constituted SIT will visit the site to collect evidence and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident. “The Himachal Pradesh Police assures the public that the investigation will be conducted professionally and that every effort will be made to provide justice to the affected parties,” the DGP said in a statement.
The police said Chander Shekhar, the plant head of NR Aroma, had been arrested in connection with the incident. The police said they were currently searching nine workers reported missing following the fire. “As per the investigation so far, 85 persons were in the factory at the time of the fire. While 30 are admitted to various hospitals with injuries, one female was brought dead to PGI and the rest are reported safe. For any clue or information related to the incident, please contact: Ashok Kumar, Additional Superintendent of Police, on mobile number 9816999000,” the police said.
The National Disaster Response Force is currently assessing the structural safety of the site and working to clear it of hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide. Following the clearance, a HP Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team will conduct a spot inspection and collect necessary evidence.
