Bawana fire: Arrested factory owner runs another unit in adjacent block

Manoj Jain, the arrested firecracker factory owner who continues to be in judicial custody, was running another factory in the adjacent block, sources told DNA. The other factory in O Block was found locked on Monday. However, Jain, during interrogation, accepted that the factory was being run by him but denied that it was a cracker factory.

But when DNA visited Maharishi Hospital, one of the survivors of the fire incident, Roop Prakash Singh revealed that he had been working for Jain for the past four to five months. The factory in which the fire took place was a new unit recently set up by Jain.

"He has another factory in O block of sector 5 in the Bawana Industrial area. The firecrackers were manufactured in that factory also. On January 1, Jain told me that he is starting a new unit in F block and it is the same factory where the fire broke out," said Singh.

Singh further revealed that for the new unit, Jain had started hiring people. " New hirings took place as he was looking to expand his business. Around 35 people were inside the factory when the mishap took place. I fear that the toll is being hidden," Singh added.

When DNA visited the factory in O block, it was found to be locked. When inquired from the locals, they stated that it has been shut for the past 7-8 days.

" We haven't seen or spotted anyone coming to the factory from the past one week. The activities inside the factory were also suspicious as they didn't allow any outsider inside, and maintained that it was a plastic factory," said a local.

The case has now been referred to the crime branch. " We are yet to receive the official file. However, the investigation has begun and our team visited the spot on Monday," said a senior police official.

A case was registered under sections 285( Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 337(Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 304(Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Explosive Act 9 (b) of the Indian Penal Code.