Raigad factory fire: Senior official of Blue Jet Healthcare pharma firm booked for culpable homicide

Pic/NDRF

In the aftermath of the devastating fire at Blue Jet Healthcare's pharmaceutical factory in Maharashtra's Raigad district, a senior official has been booked for alleged culpable homicide, following the tragic death of 11 persons. The arrest of the senior official, who was responsible for the plant's maintenance, was made three days ago, and two others have also been named in connection with the case.

The fire, which erupted at the company's plant at Mahad MIDC, located 170 km from Mumbai, on November 3, resulted in the loss of 11 lives, with seven others sustaining injuries. Acting on a complaint filed by one of the injured laborers, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 304 (culpable homicide but not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electric short circuit, as per the official statement.

Palghar Police Apprehends Murder Suspect Evading Capture for 17 Months"

In a separate incident, Palghar police successfully arrested Vijay Chowdhari (28), a murder suspect who had been on the run for 17 months. The accused is alleged to have killed his elder brother, Rajendra, with a sickle on May 23 of the previous year, PTI reported.

Also read: Mumbai crime: Technician of diagnostic center held for molesting 15-year-old girl in Mulund

The arrest unfolded in Niphad, Nashik, where Chowdhari was apprehended. The fugitive had managed to escape on May 29 while being taken for a medical examination by Trimbakeshwar police in Nashik. The Palghar Crime Branch executed the arrest two days ago, putting an end to the suspect's extended period of evading authorities.

Four held for cheating bank in Palghar of Rs 29 lakh

In a separate development, the number of persons arrested for allegedly cheating a bank in Palghar district to the tune of Rs 29.29 lakh reached four after a man was held from Pune's Pimpri Chinchwad, a police official said on Friday.

Between February 2018 and September 2021, four persons had obtained a housing loan of Rs 29.29 lakh by submitting fake documents, and a case was filed at Arnala Sagri police station after the lender came to know about the fraud, said Crime Branch Unit III senior inspector Pramod Badakh.

He said Deepak Shukla, the fourth accused in the case, was held from Pimpri Chinchwad on November 8.

Accused Chetan Shah, Vinod Mishra and Pankaj Tiwari wee arrested in the case earlier, Badakh said.

A probe has found Shukla cheated other banks of Rs 85 using the same modus operandi, he added. (With inputs from agencies)