Overview

• On May 30, a blast at an unauthorised cracker unit in Singhewala village, Muktsar district, killed five workers and injured 29 others.
• The NGT took suo motu cognizance of the incident on June 5, marking the start of judicial scrutiny into the factory’s legal compliance.
• Tribunal records cite allegations that the operator procured a large volume of explosives without authorization and that potash fumes lingered at the site for more than ten hours.
• The case invokes multiple regulations, including the Public Liability Insurance Act, Environment (Protection) Act, Hazardous Chemical Rules and Explosives Act.
• A hearing on August 4 will evaluate the responses and determine accountability for the human toll and environmental hazards.