Time 08:30 IST (03:00 UTC) Accused Rajendra Kasawa Total number of deaths 105 | Non-fatal injuries 150+ Date 12 September 2015 | |
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Location Petlawad, Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, India Type Explosions, building collapse Cause Gas explosion, Gelignite explosion Similar 2015 Indian swine flu, May 2015 Nepal earthquake, 2015 Indian heat wave, 2015 South Indian floods | ||
On the morning of 12 September 2015, an explosion in the town of Petlawad of the Jhabua district in the state of Madhya Pradesh of India, killed approximately 105 people. The cause of the explosion was attributed to illegally stored explosives that detonated, along with a cooking gas cylinder.
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Explosions
A police report stated that there were two explosions. Initially, it was suspected that the first explosion occurred in a crowded restaurant, triggering the second explosion where stored sticks of gelignite exploded in the warehouse. However, following further investigation, police believe the initial explosion was in the warehouse. The impact of the explosion damaged the building in which the restaurant was located as well as the building where the explosive material was located. The explosion also caused deaths at a crowded bus stop nearby.
The state police began performing autopsies on the bodies, while State Home Minister Babulal Gaur stated that an inquiry would be conducted. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced compensation of ₹200,000 rupees (about 3,000 USD) to the kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 (about 750 USD) to the injured.
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, expressed condolences in a message to Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the deaths on Twitter.
Investigation
In the course of their investigation, Madhya Pradesh Police found that Rajendra Kasawa, who rented space in the warehouse at the site of the explosion, used it to store gelignite sticks that triggered the blasts in the building. It is illegal to store those explosives in a residential area. BJP has linked the main accused Kasawa to former Union Minister Kantilal Bhuria’s son Vikrant Bhuria. Kasawa was booked under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under Section 3\4 of the Explosives Act. The deaths were registered under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Police sealed his residence and godowns (warehouses) owned by his brothers. More gelignite rods and blasting materials were found during the search. Later it was found that Rajendra also died in the explosion, and his remains were cremated by his family members.
On September 15th, Rajendra Kasawa was arrested, having not died in the blasts.