Pharma Blast: 17 Dead, FIR Filed for Negligence

Visakhapatnam: The Rambilli police in Anakapalli police booked a case of negligence not amounting to culpable homicide, negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others against the Escientia Advanced Sciences Private Ltd for resulting in death of 17 persons in their pharma company and injuries to 36 others. The police filed an FIR based on the complaint filed by P Bhagyavathi.

The cases were booked under sections 106(1), 125(b) and 125 (a) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

In the complaint, Bhagyavathi mentioned that a blast occurred at Escientia pharma Pvt Ltd, AP SEZ area , Gurajapalem in Rambilli mandal of Anakapalle district as per the information given by the Mandal Revenue Inspector and Village Revenue Officer. On August 21,2024 at around 2.15 pm, Pudi Mohan (20), Ch Harika (20), Y Chinna Rao (35), V Sanyasi Naidu (50), Vemareddy, Pardhasaradhi, P Rajasekhar and few others who were working in the company died in the accident as the solvent chemical exploded in the company and some workers suffered injuries. She further stated that it was known this incident happened because the company didn’t take proper precautions for this blast. She asked the police to take necessary action.

The police said that the impact of the blast was so strong that the severed body parts of some workers were thrown to some distance on the company premises. Thick flames and some engulfed the area. The family members of the victims and the leaders of left parties expressed their anger at the management for its alleged violation of safety norms and they staged a protest in Vizag city demanding immediate arrest of the management of the company.

The CPM leaders said the pharma company has two R and D centres in Connecticut (US) and Hyderabad, as well as a commercial manufacturing site in Anakapalli district.

As per 106 (1) of BNS whoever causes death of any person by doing any rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine. Interestingly the police FIR didn’t mention any individuals but the company only.

The Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha was also angry as the management refused to take her calls which she made soon after the incident.

``They rush to us to demand subsidies but at the time of accidents, they never respond,’’ she told reporters.