Nagpur: Inexperienced and unskilled workers handled hazardous chemicals at SBL Energy Ltd at Raulgaon (Katol taluka), where a powerful explosion claimed 26 lives in March, the Nagpur Rural Police told the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. These workers were assigned critical operational roles, said police adding that investigators have drawn a preliminary link between serious lapses in industrial safety compliance and the explosion.A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode is hearing a public interest litigation filed by social activist Jammu Anand. In the affidavit submitted on Wednesday, superintendent of police (Rural) Harssh Poddar detailed multiple violations at the company.The affidavit revealed that the company failed to appoint the mandated two qualified safety officers and two medical officers, employing only one safety officer for a workforce of 809. “Only 183 employees had undergone medical examination,” the police said, adding that just a single ambulance was available and no CCTV system had been installed in the production unit.The incident resulted in the immediate death of 17 women workers on March 1 this year, with the toll rising to 26 during treatment. The court was also informed that a similar explosion occurred at the same facility on April 26, 2025, after which police recommended against renewal of the company’s licence. But operations continued, said police.Petitioner’s counsel Arvind Waghmare raised concerns over the “absence” of criminal charges against the company’s directors or owners. Responding to this, the police stated that “sufficient evidence is not yet available to invoke provisions under the Explosives Act, 1908,” and that further action would depend on final reports from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation and the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health.Appearing for the state, additional govt pleader Kalyani Marpakwar informed the court that investigations are ongoing, with regulatory findings expected to shape the next course of legal action.# WHAT POLICE AFFIDAVIT SAIDUntrained workers handled hazardous chemicals at SBLDeath toll in explosion 26Only one safety officer appointed instead of mandatory twoJust 183 of 809 workers underwent medical examinationSingle ambulance and no CCTV in production unit Similar blast reported earlier on April 26, 2025Police recommended against licence renewal after previous incidentNo charges yet under Explosives Act due to lack of conclusive evidenceFinal reports from PESO and DISH awaited for further actionCase highlights systemic industrial safety failures and regulatory gaps
