Three accused in the Ahmedabad firecracker factory blast case — Ramila Dodia, her son Mehul Dodia, and business partner Sadiq Saiyed — were sent to Sabarmati Central Jail on Monday, 28 July 2025, after their seven-day police remand concluded. The trio was produced before a metropolitan court in Ahmedabad, following which the court remanded them to judicial custody. Investigators told the court that custodial interrogation had been completed and they did not seek an extension of remand.

What Investigators Covered During Remand

During the seven-day custody, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) questioned the three accused on multiple fronts: the alleged illegal operation of the firecracker unit, procurement and storage of explosive materials, financial transactions, worker payments, and whether any additional individuals were involved in the business.

The SIT also worked to trace the source of raw explosive materials, recover labour and stock registers, reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the explosion, and establish the individual roles of each accused in the operation.

The Blast That Triggered the Case

The case stems from a devastating explosion and fire that tore through a firecracker manufacturing unit on Ramol-Gatrad Road in Ahmedabad's Ramol area on 18 July 2025 at approximately 3:30 pm. The blast killed 10 people and injured five others, most of them daily-wage labourers. Several victims sustained extensive burn injuries and were rushed to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and LG Hospital.

According to police, firecrackers were allegedly being manufactured at the unit without valid authorisation at the time of the explosion.

A History of Lapses

Police have alleged that the factory's licence had expired in March and that the accused had resumed operations approximately 20 to 25 days before the blast, despite closure orders being in place. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut stated that the unit allegedly restarted production while police personnel were deployed for security arrangements during the annual Rath Yatra, reportedly to fulfil firecracker orders ahead of the forthcoming Ganesh festival.

Investigators have further noted that Ramila Dodia was previously linked to a firecracker factory accident at the same premises in 2014, after which her licence was cancelled. A fresh licence was subsequently obtained in her son Mehul Dodia's name but was not renewed after its expiry.

Legal Proceedings and What Comes Next

Offences have been registered against the accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Explosives Act. The three-member SIT continues its investigation to map the complete supply chain of explosive materials, identify any additional persons connected to the unit's operation, and prepare a chargesheet against the accused.

With the accused now in judicial custody, the focus shifts to whether investigators can establish a broader network of regulatory lapses — and whether officials who may have overlooked the unit's illegal resumption will face scrutiny.