Retired scientist moves High Court over Sigachi blast, seeks SIT probe, ex gratia for victims

Retired scientist Kalapala Babu Rao has filed a PIL in the High Court seeking a SIT probe into the Sigachi Industries blast in Pashamylaram, alleging safety lapses and workforce discrepancies, and demanding quick compensation for victims’ families

Sangareddy: Retired scientist Kalapala Babu Rao has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the High Court, seeking a time-bound investigation and immediate disbursal of ex gratia to families of those killed in the Sigachi Industries Limited blast on June 30 in the Pashamylaram industrial area.

In his plea, Babu Rao urged the court to direct the State government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. He also demanded the arrest of the company’s management, alleging criminal negligence caused the explosion.

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The petitioner requested the release of the expert committee’s report, which was constituted by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and inspected the blast site.

Babu Rao alleged the explosion resulted from serious safety lapses at the plant. He further stated that 163 workers reported for duty on the day of the incident, contradicting the company’s claim of 143. While several workers were killed, eight remain untraced, he added.