Dewas police have apprehended Mukesh Vij, the prime suspect in the Tonkkala firecracker factory explosion, at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Vij, who was returning from Guangzhou, China, was intercepted by a special police team based on a Look Out Circular and intelligence inputs. The blast at the firecracker unit in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas district resulted in the deaths of more than five individuals and left over twenty others injured. This incident sparked a political dispute between Congress and BJP leaders, each blaming the other for safety oversights.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav promptly ordered the establishment of a special investigation team following the tragic event. Dewas police swiftly formed a dedicated squad to apprehend the perpetrators as instructed. Five individuals, including Mukesh Vij, have been arrested in connection with the case. Among the detainees are a minor named Mahesh Chauhan from Uttarakhand, along with Anil, Mohammad Ayaz, and Kapil Vij.
SP Puneet Gehlod disclosed that a 13-member special team has been assembled to thoroughly probe the matter. The state government has pledged Rs 10 lakh as ex-gratia compensation to the families of the deceased. Senior officers, including ADG Rakesh Gupta and Range IG Navneet Bhasin, are overseeing the operation. The investigation is being conducted meticulously and professionally, with a commitment to taking strict legal action against all culpable individuals, regardless of their status.
Authorities have emphasized that a scientific and professional investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of the explosion, identify safety protocol breaches, and uncover the full extent of illegal activities at the unit.
