Cops seized three vehicles of Naushad
Prayagraj : The prime accused in the illegal firecracker unit blast in Kaushambi that claimed 14 lives had stockpiled around 20 quintals of explosive chemicals used in firecracker manufacturing just days before the incident, police investigations have revealed. Naushad reportedly preferred to operate the unit during night hours, from 9 pm to 4 am, while workers locked themselves inside the premises to avoid police action. Investigators believe this is why no factory worker was killed in the blast, which occurred around 11 am. However, the explosion was so powerful that it completely flattened the illegal factory, left a deep crater at the site, and caused five houses within a 100-metre radius to collapse while damaging five others. Police said all 14 victims were residents of these neighbouring houses. Naushad had obtained a licence for the manufacture and storage of firecrackers in November 2021 for a five-year period, valid till March 31, 2026, according to police. However, a joint team of the administration and police detected irregularities during an inspection of the godown in April 2024, following which the licence was suspended. In October 2024, police registered a case against him and sent him to jail.
Police said Naushad Ali procured raw materials from Prayagraj and Kunda in Pratapgarh through an extensive network of agents and stored them illegally in godowns near Manauri, Kokhraj, Pipri and adjoining areas. Investigators said his family members actively assisted him in running the operation. Police sources said a major portion of the raw material was stored at the Manauri Bazaar unit.
Despite this, Naushad allegedly continued operations illegally.