Police have yet to arrest any of the 6 officials and employees named in a case over the September 20 explosion at the F&F factory of Pretty Group in Jamgora, Ashulia, Dhaka.
Six days after the incident, police have also yet to complete the seizure of evidence.
The explosion occurred in the Jamgora area of Ashulia on the evening of September 20. Sub-Inspector (SI) Abu Taleb filed a case with Ashulia police station the following day against 6 officials and employees of the factory.
Speaking about the progress of the case on Saturday, investigating officer and Police Inspector (Investigation) of Ashulia police station Harun-or-Rashid said: “We have not yet been able to arrest the accused. We are identifying those involved and conducting the investigation. We are seizing evidence.”
He said: “Some CCTV footage has already been seized from the factory. Several burnt vehicles have also been seized and brought to the police station. More videos need to be collected, and more evidence will be seized as part of the process. The 6 officials and employees named in the case are absconding, so they could not be arrested.”
Labor leaders have expressed dissatisfaction over the failure to arrest any of the accused.
Khairul Mamun Mintu, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweaters Workers Trade Union Centre, said: “First, police filed the case excluding the owner and managing director of Pretty Group. This has caused anger among workers over the case. Second, questions have arisen over the role of police as they have not arrested a single accused even after 6 days. We want the accused to be arrested quickly. The owner and managing director should also be named as accused in the case after investigation.”
Investigation report yet to arrive
Following the incident, the Fire Service and the district administration formed 2 separate investigation committees, with deadlines of 15 working days and 7 working days, respectively, to submit their reports.
Hafizur Rahman, deputy assistant director of the Fire Service, said: “A 4-member investigation committee has been formed by the Fire Service over the incident. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 15 working days. There is still time remaining, and the committee will submit the report to the director general of the Fire Service within the stipulated period.”
He added: “Another 4-member committee has been formed by the district administration, headed by an additional district magistrate. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 7 days.”
Md Saiful Islam, Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and a member of the district administration’s investigation committee, said: “Our investigation is nearing completion. The report will be submitted within the next 2 or 3 days.”
Eight people were killed and at least 25 others were injured in the explosion.
