Kolkata, 2 April (H.S.): A massive explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Patharpratima, South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, has claimed the lives of eight people. Following this tragic incident, questions are being raised about the role of the local panchayat, as investigative agencies probe how such an illegal operation was allowed to function. The explosion occurred on Monday night.
According to district administration sources, the illegal firecracker unit was being operated from the residence of the Banik family. Reports reveal that the family had only obtained a general trade license from the local panchayat, which is not valid for firecracker manufacturing. This raises concerns about how the panchayat issued this license, especially when one of the accused, Chandrakant Banik, has a known criminal history.
Police records indicate that Chandrakant Banik was arrested in 2022 for illegal firecracker trading, and authorities had seized around 67 kg of illegal firecrackers from him. This has led to questions about whether the panchayat issued the trade license without conducting a background check with the police.
Additionally, the role of the local police is under scrutiny. Residents claim they had repeatedly warned authorities about the illegal factory, but their complaints were ignored. It remains unclear how the police failed to detect such a dangerous operation being run from a residential area.
Chandrakant Banik’s brother, Tushar Banik, who co-owned the house where the factory was operating, is currently absconding. Both brothers have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
Section 287 (Negligence involving fire or combustible material)
Section 288 (Negligence with explosive substances)
Section 105 (Acts akin to murder)
Section 110 (Attempt to murder)
Section 125 (Endangering human life)
Section 61 (Criminal conspiracy)
Furthermore, they have also been charged under Sections 24 and 25 of the West Bengal Fire Services Act, 1950, which pertains to operating a firecracker manufacturing business without the necessary licenses.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
