Absconding labour contractor arrested after explosion in Wardha district

A labour contractor, who was absconding following an explosion near a Central Ammunition Depot (CAD) in Maharashtra's Wardha district, has been arrested, police said. Shankar Chandak (40), the resident of Pulgaon, was arrested late Saturday night near the Old Collector Office in Wardha town, an official said. 

Chandak had allegedly supplied labourers for disposal of ammunition at the CAD at Pulgaon in Wardha district, said inspector Shankar Thakur of Deoli police station. An explosion during unloading of ammunition boxes killed six persons and injured 12 on November 20. Among the deceased, five were contractual workers. 

The police official said that probe revealed that the workers provided by Chandok were unskilled, and inappropriate handling of ammunition boxes led to the mishap. 

A case under IPC section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) was registered against Chandok on the same day and since then he was absconding, said inspector Thakur. He will be produced before a local court, the officer added.

(With inputs from agencies.)