Ahmedabad Firecracker Blast: Three Partners Arrested After Nine Workers Die

Three partners allegedly running an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad's Ramol area have been arrested after a devastating explosion and fire killed nine workers and injured six others, with investigators probing how the factory resumed operations despite closure orders and an expired licence.

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut said the blast occurred on Saturday afternoon at a temporary tin shed on a field behind the Rapid Action Force (RAF) camp in the Ramol police station limits. The factory was allegedly manufacturing firecrackers illegally when the explosion occurred. RAF personnel alerted authorities, following which police, fire brigade teams and 108 ambulance services launched rescue operations.

The arrested accused have been identified as Ramilaben Dodiya , her son Mehul Dodiya , and their business partner Sadiq Saiyed . Police said Mehul and Ramilaben were present when the blast occurred. Mehul allegedly fled the scene after sustaining minor injuries and was later arrested in the Sabarmati area, while Ramilaben and Saiyed were detained soon after the incident.

According to police, the unit's licence expired on March 4, 2026 , and was never renewed. Authorities had ordered its closure, but the accused allegedly restarted operations around 20 days ago by bringing labourers from Dahod while police personnel were deployed for the Rath Yatra. Investigators are also examining the role of the landowner and financiers associated with the unit. Firecrackers were allegedly being manufactured to meet demand ahead of the upcoming Ganesh festival.

Most of the deceased workers were from Sanjeli taluka in Dahod district , while others hailed from Kapadvanj, Umreth and Ramol. Police escorted the bodies to their native places after postmortem examinations.

An FIR has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , including Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Section 287 (negligent handling of combustible materials), along with provisions of the Explosive Substances Act . Police also revealed that Ramilaben had operated a similar unit at the same location in 2014, when a fire claimed one life, after which the licence was cancelled.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced an additional Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of each victim and Rs 50,000 for the injured.