Police have apprehended Hemant Sachdeva, the primary suspect in the explosion at an illicit firecracker manufacturing unit in Bhiwadi that resulted in the death of seven workers and injuries to several others on February 16. The blast, which occurred in the Khushkheda industrial area of Khairthal-Tijara district, prompted a thorough investigation into unauthorized explosive production in the vicinity.
Hemant Sachdeva was taken into custody from his residence in Delhi during a police operation and subsequently transported to Bhiwadi for further interrogation, as confirmed by Khairthal-Tijara Superintendent of Police Manish Kumar. Earlier arrests included factory operator Hemant Kumar Sharma and supervisor Abhinandan Tiwari in connection with the incident. Following questioning of the detained individuals, Sachdeva’s alleged involvement came to light, leading to his identification as a key suspect in the case.
Presented before a court on Saturday, Sachdeva is now being sought for custodial remand by the police to aid in the ongoing investigation into the illegal firecracker manufacturing activities. Information obtained during interrogations has revealed potential links to other individuals and sites associated with the illicit firecracker production network, prompting police raids at various locations to uncover additional accomplices.
Authorities are also looking into the potential involvement of certain law enforcement personnel in the matter. The Jaipur Vigilance team is currently investigating head constable Yogesh Kumar Sharma and District Special Team (DST) in-charge Mukesh Verma as part of the inquiry. In response to recent developments, the Bhiwadi District Special Team unit has been disbanded, with further scrutiny underway to identify any oversights or irregularities.
Confirming the absence of valid licenses and essential safety protocols for handling explosive materials at the factory, police have initiated a statewide crackdown on illegal firecracker manufacturing units to avert similar tragedies. The state government has announced compensation for the affected families, emphasizing ongoing investigations and subsequent actions based on emerging evidence and findings.
