Sigachi Industries CEO Arrested Six Months After Telangana Factory Blast That Killed 54 Workers

Telangana Police have arrested Amit Raj Sinha, the Chief Executive Officer of Sigachi Industries, in connection with the fatal factory blast that claimed 54 lives at the company’s Pashamailaram unit in Sangareddy district earlier this year.

The arrest was made on Saturday night in Hyderabad, nearly six months after the explosion that occurred on June 30. According to police officials, Sinha is listed as the second accused in the case and has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody at Kandi Central Jail. A total of six company officials have been named as accused so far.

Investigators said the blast was caused by excessive heat and pressure buildup in a dryer unit, allegedly due to inadequate maintenance and failure to follow safety protocols. The explosion resulted in the deaths of 54 workers, including eight whose remains could not be recovered for identification.

Police have registered criminal cases against the Sigachi Industries management under multiple sections related to negligence and safety violations. Officials stated that the investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of responsibility among company executives and staff.

The case gained renewed momentum following repeated criticism from the Telangana High Court, which had expressed dissatisfaction over delays in arrests despite witness statements and preliminary evidence. The court had questioned why no senior officials were taken into custody months after the incident.

A state government-appointed technical expert committee concluded that the explosion occurred due to management negligence, citing lapses in operational safety and monitoring systems.

Meanwhile, families of the victims — many of whom are from Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and other states — continue to wait for a significant portion of the compensation promised by the state government and the company. While ₹1 crore was announced as compensation per victim, relatives claim that nearly 75% of the amount is still unpaid. Protests have been held at the Labour Commissioner’s office in Hyderabad demanding immediate disbursal.

The arrest followed the High Court’s directive while hearing a public interest litigation filed by a group of retired scientists seeking accountability for the industrial disaster.