105 tonnes of ammonium nitrate seized in Khandala; case against three truck drivers, company officials

Police in Pargaon-Khandala, Khandala taluka, have seized three goods trucks carrying a total of 105 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, an explosive substance. It is alleged that the material was being transported in violation of safety norms. A case has been registered at Khandala police station against the three truck drivers and the transport officials of a fertiliser company in Taloja, Panvel. The incident has caused alarm in Khandala taluka. Swift police action averted a major disaster.

The three trucks had reportedly left Deepak Fertilisers in Taloja, Panvel, and were to travel via Hyderabad in Telangana to Chityal near Nalgonda. The trucks are reported to bear the registration numbers TS-02-UD-3170, TS-02-UD-3177 and TS-02-3172. The night patrol staff of Khandala police station, while in Pargaon-Khandala, noticed the trucks parked near the ST bus station. They immediately informed Mahendra Jagtap, senior police inspector of Khandala police station.

On receiving the information, Inspector Jagtap reached the spot with his officers and staff. According to police, the drivers are Rupeshkumar Parmeshwar Tanti (46, resident of Sarakpur, Baldaur taluka, Khagaria district, Bihar), Ajkumar Ashok Prasad (36, resident of Gopalwada, Madhepura district, Bihar) and Phulchand Jhalu Paswan (46, resident of Maheshkut, Gogri taluka, Khagaria district, Bihar). Along with them, the transport officials of Deepak Fertilisers are accused of breaking transport permit rules and safety rules despite knowing that ammonium nitrate is explosive.

For safety reasons, police have seized the three trucks and the entire 105 tonnes of ammonium nitrate loaded in them. On learning of the incident, officials of the government's safety department came to the spot and inspected it. Assistant Police Inspector Abhijit Yadav of the local crime branch in Satara and the officers and staff with him also arrived and investigated.

Police constable Suraj Pawar lodged the complaint at Khandala police station. The case has been registered against the three drivers, Rupeshkumar Parmeshwar Tanti, Ajkumar Ashok Prasad and Phulchand Jhalu Paswan, and the transport officials of Deepak Fertilisers. Sub-Inspector Shital Mane is conducting further investigation.