Sigachi factory blast: Court defers hearing on compensation to Jan 29, stresses impartial probe
The court also clearly stated that the criminal investigation and bail proceedings must be conducted independently, fairly and without any external pressure
By - Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday deferred to January 29, 2026, the hearing of a PIL seeking Rs 1 crore compensation for each family of workers killed in the Sigachi factory blast at Sangareddy.
The court also clearly stated that the criminal investigation and bail proceedings must be conducted independently, fairly and without any external pressure.
Court hears PIL on Sigachi blast deaths
A Division Bench comprising Aparesh Kumar Singh, Chief Justice and Ghouse Meera Mohiuddin heard the petition relating to the June 2025 industrial explosion that claimed 54 lives and left several others injured.
The Bench was considering a plea filed by Kalapala Babu Rao, a retired scientist from Hyderabad, seeking a direction to the Telangana government to pay Rs 1 crore compensation to the family of each deceased worker.
Bail applications to be moved
Senior counsel S Niranjan Reddy, appearing for Amit Raj Sinha, Managing Director and CEO of Sigachi Industries, informed the court that a regular bail application would be moved before the jurisdictional lower court for the Managing Director, who is presently in judicial remand.
He further stated that anticipatory bail petitions would be filed for six other senior company officials who are currently absconding.
Concern over lower court hesitation
The Senior Counsel submitted that the lower court may be reluctant to decide the bail pleas, given that the High Court is monitoring the investigation into the blast.
He requested the Bench to issue appropriate directions to ensure that bail applications are considered independently and on their own merits.
Company claims it has issued compensation cheques to families
Informing the court about compensation measures, the Senior Counsel said Sigachi Industries entered into an agreement with the State government on July 1, agreeing to pay Rs 42 lakh to the families of each deceased worker.
He added that the company has completed the process of issuing post-dated cheques to the affected families. This compensation, he clarified, is separate from the payments of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh extended to injured workers, depending on the nature of injuries.
State says probe nears completion
Additional Advocate General T Rajnikanth Reddy, appearing for the State, told the court that the investigation has not so far found culpability and is now at its final stage, with a chargesheet expected within a week.
He informed the Bench that nearly 300 witnesses, including 16 government officials, have been examined during the course of the probe and that Amit Raj Sinha was arrested and remanded to judicial custody in accordance with the law.
High Court clarifies its role
Responding to the submissions, the Division Bench observed that the High Court is not controlling the investigation and that it is solely for the investigating agency to determine, in a fair manner, who is liable to be prosecuted and punished.
The court further observed that it expects the jurisdictional magistrate to adjudicate bail applications without any pressure, strictly based on the material placed before it.
After recording the submissions and observations, the High Court adjourned further hearing in the matter to January 29, 2026, leaving all issues open for consideration for the next hearing.
