Jaipur police commissioner suspends eight, including SHO, over Kho Nagoriyan firecracker factory fire

Jaipur: Police Commissioner Sachin Mittal on Tuesday suspended eight police personnel, including the station house officer of Kho Nagoriyan police station, following a fire at an illegal firecracker factory in the area. The officers were found responsible for negligence in a preliminary inquiry.

The personnel suspended by Mittal are SHO Om Prakash Matawa, Head Constable Ashok, and Constables Ramavatar, Dinesh, Asif, Harendra, and Ashok. Separately, DCP (East) Ranjita Sharma suspended ASI Amar Singh and Head Constable Pappu Ram in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

Mittal said no negligence in matters of public safety would be tolerated at any level. He appointed Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ajay Singh to lead a detailed investigation into the fire. An inquiry committee formed under Singh’s direction will examine all aspects of the incident, the role of officers involved, and compliance with safety norms, and submit its report. Those found guilty will face strict action, Mittal said.

The Commissioner directed all district police officers across Jaipur city to immediately launch a special survey and inspection drive targeting illegally operated factories, warehouses, firecracker storage sites, and other hazardous establishments in their jurisdictions. Beat-level officers and constables have been asked to conduct door-to-door surveys to identify illegal storage of explosives and firecrackers, with strict legal action to follow against those found in violation. All officers must submit detailed compliance reports within a specified deadline.

Mittal said preventing recurrence of such incidents was the administration’s highest priority, and that safety norms would be reviewed and monitored on a regular basis. He said Jaipur Police was fully committed to the safety of its citizens and that no illegal activity endangering public life and property would be tolerated.