SBL Blast Accused Seeks Anticipatory Bail in Nagpur Court Kedar Panchputre, an accused in the Raulgaon SBL blast, has filed an application for anticipatory bail with the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. The court has issued a notice to the Kalmeshwar Police, directing them to submit their response by March 30. The case came up for hearing before Justice Mahendra Chandwani. Panchputre had previously approached the additional sessions court, which rejected his plea on March 16, citing the severity of the crime. The explosion occurred on March 1 within the factory premises, resulting in the deaths of 25 workers and leaving several others critically injured. Prosecutors allege that the incident was caused by grave violations of safety norms by the company. In his bail application, Panchputre claimed he was on leave at the time of the incident and had no direct involvement in the operations leading to the blast. However, the sessions court noted that as an employee associated with the company, his responsibilities may have included safety or supervisory duties, necessitating a thorough investigation. Advocate Amol Mardikar represented Panchputre, while additional public prosecutor SV Kolhe defended the state. The court has ordered the police to provide their response before the next hearing. The case remains pending further proceedings. The incident has sparked significant legal and public discourse, highlighting the complexities of corporate accountability and individual liability in industrial disasters. The court’s decision to grant anticipatory bail underscores the balance between legal rights and the gravity of the charges. As the case progresses, it will likely draw attention to the broader implications of workplace safety regulations and the legal frameworks governing such tragedies.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #raulgaon_sbl_blast #kedar_panchputre #mahendra_chandwani
