XEN, 3 others held in Palwal fire case
The police have arrested an executive engineer (XEN) of the Public Health Department and three employees associated with Adani Total Gas in connection with the fire incident on Tuesday. One person was killed and three others were injured when a PNG gas pipeline caught fire after it got damaged during a digging work. Three shops, a JCB machine and three motorcycles were burnt in the incident.
The police said the arrest had been made on the basis of the FIR and the complaint lodged by the relatives of the deceased person, who had alleged negligence on part of the officials of the Public Health Department and the gas company. Hari Chand Singla, 45, running tea stall nearby died in the fire, which was brought under control by the fire tenders in about one and a half hours.
The fire started after a JCB machine engaged by the Public Health Department to fix a water supply line damaged the PNG pipeline, resulting in a blast and the fire.
The persons arrested have been identified as Amit Kumar, XEN, Public Health Department, and Vishal, Shamshad and Shailender working as supervisor and technicians, respectively, with the gas company. SP Chander Shekhar who visited the site said none of the persons found guilty would be spared. A case pertaining to culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered. A special investigation team has been formed to probe the incident, he said. DC Dr Harish Kumar Vashisht also announced the setting up of a three-member team. The kin of the deceased person have demanded a compensation of Rs 1 crore, it is reported. However, the DC said the compensation would be decided on the basis of the report.
