Telangana HC slams slow probe, safety lapses in Sigachi industrial fire; no arrests yet, reveals govt

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday expressed serious concerns over the sluggish investigation, lack of safety protocols and delayed compensation following the devastating fire accident at Sigachi Industries in Pashamylaram, Sangareddy district.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice AK Singh and Justice Mohiuddin heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by retired scientist K Babu Rao, demanding justice for the affected workers and their families.

Most workers are on contract basis

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel highlighted that many workers at the factory were migrant labourers employed on a contract basis, not permanent staff from Hyderabad. The PIL seeks to ensure that all affected workers receive due compensation and that the State enforces this payment.

Chief Justice AK Singh meticulously questioned the State on the progress of the investigation, inquiring about the First Information Report (FIR), the sections under which it was registered, and crucially, whether any arrests had been made.

No arrests made

The Government Pleader for the Home Department responded with a terse ‘no,’ indicating a significant lack of progress on arrests despite the severity of the incident.

Noting the tragic loss of lives, the court sought comprehensive details from the State, including the various statutes under which Sigachi Industries was found liable, the exact number of workers present on the day of the accident and their employment status (permanent, casual, or daily wage). The court explicitly directed that details of all compensation paid to the workers must be included in the State's counter-affidavit.

Counsels representing the State informed the court that they were awaiting reports from a High-Level Committee and an Expert Committee on the matter. However, the Chief Justice pressed whether the ongoing investigation would be contingent on these reports, to which the State affirmed it would not.

Tragedy should not be forgotten

In a significant observation, Chief Justice Singh urged the State not to treat the matter as an ‘adversarial litigation,’ emphasising that the government should actively assist the families of the deceased workers. He underscored the importance of ensuring that ‘passage of time should not diminish this tragedy or be allowed to be forgotten.’

The Additional Advocate General, representing the State, requested four weeks to file a comprehensive counter-affidavit addressing all issues raised in the PIL, stating that all prayers in the PIL were being addressed. However, the court, recognising the urgency and gravity of the matter, insisted on a stricter deadline, granting only three weeks for the submission of the counter. The case has been adjourned to August 27 for further hearing.

What was the Sigachi industrial fire accident?

The tragic incident at Sigachi Industries Ltd. occurred on June 30 at its factory in Pashamylaram, Sangareddy district. A massive explosion and subsequent fire erupted in a building housing the reactor unit, specifically in the spray dryer unit used to process raw material into fine powder. The blast led to the complete collapse of the building and severe damage to nearby structures.

The disaster, considered Telangana’s worst industrial accident, tragically claimed the lives of 46 people and left 33 injured, with eight individuals initially reported missing. Many of the deceased were migrant workers, and their bodies were severely charred, necessitating DNA testing for identification.

Initial reports and a complaint filed by a victim’s family member suggested that workers had repeatedly raised concerns with the management regarding the use of outdated equipment, but these warnings were allegedly ignored. The Telangana Fire Department also indicated that the plant lacked adequate safety measures, including fire alarms and heat sensors.

Following the accident, Sigachi Industries announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 crore each to the families of the deceased and committed to providing full medical and rehabilitation support to the injured. However, reports from victims’ families indicate delays in receiving the full promised compensation, with many having only received an initial interim relief of Rs 1 lakh, primarily used for funeral expenses. The company stated that the full amount would be disbursed in a phased manner after verification. The plant’s operations were suspended for approximately 90 days following the incident.