Ghaziabad, October 12 — The Ghaziabad firecracker warehouse raid has exposed a major breach of public safety and environmental law after authorities discovered an enormous stockpile of illegal firecrackers. On Friday, a raid led to the seizure of 344,000 kilograms of firecrackers, valued at around ₹6.25 crore, and the arrest of three individuals connected with the warehouse, including its owner. The operation has highlighted the ongoing struggle to enforce the firecracker ban in the National Capital Region (NCR), especially as festival season approaches.
What Happened in Ghaziabad Firecracker Warehouse Raid
- The raid was carried out under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), a statute that empowers authorities to act in urgent cases involving public nuisance or danger.
- Acting on insider information, local police and district administration officials descended upon a warehouse in the Bhojpur area (Khasra Nos. 673, 684, 687). The premises was found to be stocked with an enormous illegal consignment of firecrackers.
- During the operation, the warehouse was sealed and the entire stash was confiscated. The accused — Saurabh Singhal, the owner, along with Dharmveer Singh (41) and Amit Kumar (36) — all from Hapur district — were arrested and charged under Section 9B(1)(B) of the Explosives Act as well as Section 222 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Legal & Policy Framework
- The ban under Section 163 of the BNSS was formally in effect in Ghaziabad from August 26 to October 10, a period during which storage, sale, or purchase of firecrackers was strictly prohibited.
- Local authorities had issued prior notices to traders, warning them that they must refrain from engaging in any firecracker-related business during this timeframe.
- Violators were to be prosecuted not only under BNSS but also under the Explosives Act and other relevant laws to deter large-scale illegal operations.
Implications & Reactions
- Health and environment: They contribute significantly to air pollution, especially in the post-monsoon period when air quality is fragile. Large illegal storages raise risks of accidental blasts and unsafe handling of unstable materials.
- Enforcement gap: Despite repeated notices, illegal stockpiling continues. This suggests challenges in intelligence, local monitoring, and jurisdictional coordination.
- Legal repercussions: Accused parties may face serious penalties, including imprisonment and heavy fines, under the various statutes invoked.
Next Steps
Authorities have launched follow-up investigations to trace the supply chain behind this massive cache. They will probe:
- The origins of the firecrackers (local manufacture vs. import).
- Links to broader distribution networks.
- Possible oversight or compliance lapses among local regulatory bodies.
The police and municipal agencies have also signaled that further crackdowns will be intensified in the run-up to major festivals to ensure full compliance with the firecracker ban in the NCR.
