Dewas factory blast: SDM, Deputy Tehsildar suspended for negligence
Synopsis
Five workers are dead and officials are finally paying a price. Madhya Pradesh suspended two revenue officers for skipping mandatory monthly inspections at the Dewas firecracker factory — but the administration's own note that earlier incidents went unaddressed raises a harder question: how many warnings were ignored before the blast on 14 May?
Key Takeaways
Two revenue officials — SDM Sanjeev Saxena and Naib Tehsildar Ravi Sharma — suspended on 16 May 2025 for negligence linked to the Dewas firecracker factory blast.
Five workers died in the explosion on 14 May ; several others remain hospitalised with severe burn injuries.
Officials allegedly failed to conduct mandatory monthly inspections of the explosive-materials unit and arrived at the site only after the blast.
Factory owner Anil Malviya arrested and the National Security Act (NSA) invoked against him.
A magisterial inquiry ordered to examine the blast's cause, licence compliance, and adherence to Explosives Rules and National Building Code-2016 .
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited injured workers in Indore hospitals on Thursday night.
Two revenue officials in Madhya Pradesh were suspended on Saturday, 16 May for alleged negligence linked to the deadly firecracker factory explosion in Dewas district that claimed five lives and left several workers with severe burn injuries. The action came two days after the blast, which occurred on 14 May.
Officials Suspended
Ujjain Divisional Commissioner Ashish Singh suspended Tonkhurd SDM Sanjeev Saxena and Naib Tehsildar Ravi Sharma under provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services Rules. The suspension order cited serious lapses in inspection and monitoring of the factory, which was handling explosive materials.
According to the order, both officials were required to conduct monthly inspections to ensure explosive materials were stored in compliance with licence conditions — checks that were allegedly not carried out. Officials confirmed that the two reached the factory site only after Friday's explosion, not before it.
Pattern of Prior Negligence
The administration noted that despite earlier incidents at the same factory, no effective corrective action was enforced. The Revenue Department is one of six departments responsible for issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) and monitoring such units. Authorities believe that cumulative negligence and regulatory non-compliance directly contributed to the accident.
During the suspension period, both officers will remain attached to the Dewas Collector's Office and will receive subsistence allowance as per applicable rules.
Factory Owner Arrested Under NSA
The administration had already invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against factory owner Anil Malviya, who was arrested following the explosion. The NSA invocation signals the severity with which authorities are treating the case.
Magisterial Inquiry Ordered
Divisional Commissioner Ashish Singh has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the blast. The probe will examine the exact cause of the explosion, verify compliance with the Explosives Rules and the National Building Code-2016, and review the licences issued to the factory. This comes amid growing scrutiny of regulatory oversight at firecracker and pyrotechnic units across Madhya Pradesh.
Government Response
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited hospitals in Indore on Thursday night to meet workers undergoing treatment for severe burn injuries. Five workers died in the explosion, while several others remain hospitalised. The suspensions represent the first direct accountability action by the state administration following the tragedy.
With the magisterial inquiry now under way and the factory owner in custody under the NSA, the investigation's findings are expected to determine whether further departmental or criminal action follows.
Point of View
But they risk becoming the administration's alibi. The more damaging detail buried in the order is that earlier incidents at the same factory drew no effective regulatory response — meaning the system had prior notice and still failed. With six departments sharing NOC and monitoring responsibility, diffused accountability is structurally built in. Until the magisterial inquiry produces findings that lead to systemic reform — not just individual punishment — Dewas will remain one of many preventable tragedies waiting to be repeated.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Dewas firecracker factory blast?
A firecracker factory in Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh, exploded on 14 May 2025, killing five workers and leaving several others with severe burn injuries. Factory owner Anil Malviya was arrested and the National Security Act was invoked against him.
Why were the SDM and Naib Tehsildar suspended?
SDM Sanjeev Saxena and Naib Tehsildar Ravi Sharma were suspended for allegedly failing to conduct mandatory monthly inspections of the firecracker unit and for not enforcing safety standards despite earlier incidents at the factory. Both reportedly reached the site only after the explosion.
What is the magisterial inquiry looking into?
The inquiry, ordered by Divisional Commissioner Ashish Singh, will examine the exact cause of the blast, verify compliance with the Explosives Rules and National Building Code-2016, and review the licences granted to the factory.
What action was taken against the factory owner?
Factory owner Anil Malviya was arrested after the 14 May explosion, and the National Security Act (NSA) was invoked against him — a measure typically reserved for cases involving a threat to public order or national security.
Who is responsible for monitoring such factories in Madhya Pradesh?
The Revenue Department is one of six departments responsible for issuing no-objection certificates and monitoring firecracker and explosive-materials factories. Authorities have cited lapses across this regulatory chain as a contributing factor in the Dewas blast.
