The investigation into the SBL factory blast case has gained momentum after Kedar Arvind Panchputre, the company’s Safety Department Manager, surrendered before the court following directions from the Supreme Court. However, the company’s owner and several directors are still absconding. As a result, the police have launched an intensive search across multiple states. The Supreme Court had directed all the accused to surrender before the investigating agency or the court within four days after they failed to get relief from the High Court. While Panchputre complied with the order and surrendered before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court, he was remanded to judicial custody. Ten other accused are yet to surrender.

 

The accused who remain on the run include SBL Chairman and owner Sanjay Chaudhary, CEO Alok Chaudhary, and directors Ravindra Pokharna, Shravan Kumar, Satyavati Parashar, Alok Avadhiya, Manoj Kumar Prasad, Mitin Chandanmal and Atul Gupta. Police teams have conducted raids at several locations in Raipur in search of Sanjay and Alok Chaudhary, but they could not be traced. The case relates to the massive explosion at the SBL factory on March 1, in which 26 employees lost their lives. Police have already arrested 11 accused, who are currently in judicial custody. The investigation has revealed serious negligence in maintaining safety standards at the factory. Reports submitted by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) have pointed to major violations of mandatory safety norms, which are believed to have contributed to the deadly blast.