SIT to probe Baddi perfume factory fire, says Himachal DGP

Solan, February 3

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the fire incident at a perfume factory in Baddi, said the Himachal DGP Sanjay Kundu.

The police chief visited the gutted factory at Jharmajri in Barotiwala and informed that an FIR has been registered under under sections 285 (Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 336 (Act endangering life or un personal safety of others), 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code

He said that the SIT will include the Additional Superintendent of Police, Ashok Verma, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Khazana Ram and the Station House Officer of Barotiwala, Sub inspector Sanjay Sharma.Chander Shekhar, the Plant Head of the said unit has been arrested .

As per the investigation so far there were 85 people in the factory when the mishap occurred, out of them 30 are admitted in various hospitals with injuries. While one female was brought dead to PGI, 13 people are missing and they were being traced.

The police appealed to the public to share information regarding the missing individuals .

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is currently assessing the structural safety of the site and working to clear it of hazardous gases such as Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Sulphide and Sulphur Dioxide. Following the clearance, an HP Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team will conduct a spot inspection and collect necessary evidence stated the DGP. Given the complex nature of the fire, the police chief has requested the State Government for assistance from the Central Forensic Science Team of the Government of India.The constituted SIT will visit the site to collect evidence and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

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