The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a stern stance following a deadly explosion at a defence explosives unit in Maharashtra, ordering the initiation of criminal proceedings against the factory's administration. The tribunal found that the tragic incident, which claimed nine lives and left several injured, was a direct result of ignored safety protocols.
NGT Bench Holds Munitions India Ltd Accountable
In a detailed judgment pronounced on Monday, the NGT's western zone bench in Pune delivered a scathing indictment of the factory's management. The bench, comprising judicial member Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, held Pune-based Munitions India Ltd squarely responsible for the catastrophic blast. The company operates the ordnance factory in Bhandara, which manufactures high-grade explosives for the Indian Army.
The tribunal unequivocally stated that "safe practices were not adopted" at the facility. It highlighted serious violations of established safety norms, concluding that the lapses on the part of Munitions India Limited directly led to the explosion. The NGT bench was hearing a suo motu case it initiated based on a news report published on January 24, 2025, the very day of the disaster.
Blast Details and Legal Contraventions
The devastating explosion occurred on the morning of January 24, 2025, at the ordnance factory located in Bhandara district. The force of the blast was so immense that it blew away the factory's roof. The incident resulted in the immediate death of eight workers, with the death toll later rising to nine. Several other workers sustained serious injuries.
The NGT's investigation revealed a clear contravention of Section 7A(2)(a) of the Factories Act. This section mandates that the occupier of a factory is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of all workers while they are on the premises. The tribunal found that this fundamental duty was grievously compromised.
Directives for Criminal Proceedings and Future Action
Moving beyond mere observation, the NGT issued concrete directives to ensure accountability. The tribunal has directed the District Collector of Bhandara to ensure that criminal proceedings are launched against the occupier of the factory. This order is subject to the mandatory approval from the Central Government, given the factory's status as a defence unit.
This ruling sets a significant precedent for industrial safety, especially within critical defence manufacturing sectors. It underscores that entities involved in the production of hazardous materials will be held to the highest standards of operational safety. The judgment sends a strong message that negligence leading to loss of life will face severe legal consequences, irrespective of the organization's strategic importance.
The case continues to highlight the urgent need for rigorous and uncompromising safety audits in all industrial plants handling explosive materials to prevent such tragedies in the future.
