Illegal firecracker factory operating inside warehouse?:Suspicious sacks found hidden beneath cartons

The death of five workers in the devastating explosion at a firecracker factory in Dewas has raised serious questions over the licensing process and administrative monitoring. Following the incident, activities at a warehouse located nearly one kilometre from the blast site have also come under suspicion. The warehouse has now been sealed after officials found materials that could potentially be used in firecracker manufacturing. While authorities claim the site was only being used for storage, photographs and videos from inside the premises have raised doubts over those claims. The key question now being investigated is whether an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit was being operated from inside the warehouse. Materials recovered from the site appear to closely match those found at the factory where the explosion occurred. Read in this report how suspicious clues were found in the warehouse? Warehouse located near blast site The warehouse is situated near Kalma village along the Agra-Mumbai Highway, around two kilometres from the explosion site. After villagers raised concerns over suspicious activity following the blast, SDOP Deepa Mandwe reached the spot with a police team. The warehouse was locked when officials arrived. The lock was broken and the team entered the premises for inspection. During the initial inquiry, officials claimed that only firecracker stock and packaging materials were stored there. Later, when journalists questioned officials at the Collector’s office about activities inside the warehouse, SP Puneet Gehlod said the investigation team had not found anything suspicious. He stated that only packing cartons and firecracker packets were present. However, after repeated questions from the media, the SP reportedly called officials immediately and directed them to conduct a detailed inspection of the warehouse. Police have not yet clarified what was ultimately recovered during the search, but images and videos from inside the premises have raised several serious concerns. Clue 1: Containers similar to those used in blast found inside Steel containers resembling those involved in the factory explosion were allegedly found hidden among other materials inside the warehouse. According to officials, workers were having lunch at the factory when one of the containers suddenly exploded, engulfing 26 workers in the blast. Five workers died in the incident, while eight others remain in critical condition. Videos from inside the warehouse reportedly show four to six similar containers. Investigators suspect more may have been concealed behind stored goods. Clue 2: ‘REGULAR’ marked sacks found at both locations At the explosion site, a large number of white sacks with the word “REGULAR” printed in red were reportedly found. These sacks were allegedly being used to pack firecracker packets. Officials estimate that nearly 8,000 such sacks were present at the factory. Identical sacks were also recovered from the warehouse, where their number is reportedly in the lakhs. All of them were packed and bore the same red “REGULAR” marking. Investigators suspect that after manufacturing, firecrackers were packed into these sacks before being supplied elsewhere. Clue 3: Suspicious bags hidden beneath cartons In videos from inside the warehouse, members of the administrative team can be seen removing cartons and uncovering white sacks hidden underneath. Investigators suspect these bags may contain potash or other explosive substances. Similar sacks were also reportedly found at the blast site. Officials believe the chemicals stored in these bags may have been mixed with other substances to prepare explosive material used in firecracker production. Clue 4: Tables and chairs set up for packing work Long tables and chairs were also found arranged inside the warehouse. Videos show packets of firecrackers placed on tables, while a large number of cartons can be seen stacked nearby. The setup appeared capable of accommodating more than ten workers at a time. Officials suspect that firecrackers were manufactured at the main factory site and then transported to the warehouse for packaging and further distribution through vehicles. Sarpanch had warned of possible accident earlier Kalwan Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Kavita Gaur claimed she had raised concerns about firecracker manufacturing inside the warehouse as early as March 2026. In an application submitted to the Tehsildar on March 8, she alleged that a firecracker factory was operating inside Jaydev Warehouse. She warned that the warehouse was located opposite a petrol pump and surrounded by houses and shops, creating the possibility of a major accident. According to the sarpanch, a minor explosion had also occurred at the site on March 14, but no action was taken. She alleged that officials were reluctant even to accept her complaint. She further claimed that firecracker production had started there even before the factory received a licence. Later, the operation was allegedly shifted to a location beneath a bridge, where the major explosion eventually occurred. Questions raised over licensing process Under the Explosives Rules, 2008, approval from the Gram Panchayat or municipal body is mandatory before a licence for a firecracker factory can be issued. However, in this case, the sarpanch herself had reportedly opposed the factory. This has raised serious questions over how the licence was granted without Panchayat approval. A report submitted by Patwari Manish Patel had also reportedly mentioned that the factory was located beside a highway, with residential areas around 500 metres away and a petrol pump approximately 700 metres from the site. Despite these observations, permission for firecracker manufacturing was allegedly granted.