While five people were killed, another 20 were left injured in the
chemical blast that leaked toxic fumes in the Sachin GIDC area, Surat,
early Thursday morning. The workers were sleeping inside the factory and
the leak was traced to a tanker parked inside the premises.
In a joint operation, Surat crime branch, Bharuch LCB and Vadodra Police,
made headway with the case by arresting four persons Friday. Further
investigation revealed that a pharma company based out of Mumbai had
employed proprietor Ashish Gupta of a Surat-based transport firm to
dispose the bulk chemical waste at Rs 14 per litre. The toxic chemical was
sodium hydrosulphide.
The accused all have a link to transport carriers. While Premsagar
Omprakash Gupta runs Baba Mahendranath Roadlines and has been
earlier arrested in cases under prohibition and negotiable instrument act,
Ashishkumar Doodhnath Gupta has studied till class 8 and runs Sweta
Transport. The third, Jaypratap Ramkishor Tomar, works at Unity Small
Finance Bank’s loan department and has been schooled till class 9. His
credentials, however, also point at a B.Com degree from M.S. University,
Baroda. Lastly, Vishal Anilkumar Yadav alias Chhotu is a garage help in a
concern called Sai BodyBuilder.
Briefing on the case, Ajay Tomar, Surat police commissioner, added that
the incident is being investigated further. Ashish Gupta had delegated his
work to Jaypratap and Vishal, the ones who transported the truck in
which the chemical blast took place.
Report By: Mayur Mistry
