Ahmedabad firecracker blast: SIT formed, 9 dead at Ramol factory
Synopsis
Nine workers are dead after a firecracker factory in Ahmedabad's Ramol area exploded on Saturday — allegedly while operating on an expired licence ahead of Ganesh festival orders. The Ahmedabad Police have now formed a full SIT, arrested three people including an operator's son who fled the scene injured, and set a 10-day deadline for a progress report.
Key Takeaways
A firecracker factory explosion at Ramol-Gatrad Road, Vastral, Ahmedabad on 19 July 2025 killed nine workers and injured six others .
Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) the following day to probe the blast.
The SIT is supervised by JCP (Sector-2) Jaipal Singh Rathore , who must submit a progress report within 10 days .
Three persons — Ramila Dodiya , her son Mehul Dodiya , and Sadiq Saiyed — have been arrested; Mehul fled the scene despite being injured.
Investigators allege the New Gujarat Fire Works factory was operating with an expired licence and had ramped up production for Ganesh festival orders.
Cases filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 , and the Explosives Act, 1884 .
The Ahmedabad City Police has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the deadly firecracker factory explosion in the city's Ramol area that killed nine workers and left six others with serious burn injuries. The SIT was formally notified on Sunday, 20 July 2025, a day after the blast tore through the New Gujarat Fire Works factory in Vastral.
How the SIT Is Structured
Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut issued the formation order, directing the team to conduct a 'thorough and in-depth investigation' in a 'completely neutral, impartial, transparent manner' in accordance with the law. The SIT will function under the supervision of Joint Police Commissioner (Sector-2) Jaipal Singh Rathore, who must submit a progress report within 10 days.
The team comprises Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-8) Mayur Patil, Assistant Commissioner of Police (S Division) Y.A. Gohil, and Ramol Police Inspector V.D. Mori. Investigators have been instructed to collect all physical, scientific, documentary, and digital evidence while maintaining the chain of custody. The SIT will also coordinate with the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), explosives experts, electrical experts, the Fire Department, the Labour Department, and other relevant agencies.
What Happened at the Factory
The explosion occurred at approximately 3:45 pm on Saturday, 19 July 2025 at the unit located at Survey No. 629/1/2/3 on Ramol-Gatrad Road in Vastral, situated behind the Rapid Action Force (RAF) camp near the canal. The blast triggered a major fire that destroyed the factory. Preliminary forensic findings indicate the explosion occurred while firecrackers were actively being manufactured on the premises.
According to police, the unit had resumed firecracker production in recent weeks to fulfil orders ahead of the upcoming Ganesh festival. Investigators allege the factory was operating illegally after its licence had expired and had not been renewed.
Three Arrested, Including Fleeing Operator's Son
Police have arrested factory operator Ramila Dodiya, her son Mehul Dodiya — who allegedly managed day-to-day operations — and their alleged partner Sadiq Saiyed. Notably, Mehul Dodiya was apprehended after he initially fled the scene despite sustaining injuries in the blast.
A case has been registered at Ramol Police Station under Sections 105, 287, 288 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 5(A) and 6 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and Section 9(B) of the Explosives Act, 1884. Authorities are also investigating the source of the explosives, potential safety regulation violations, and the roles of other individuals connected to the factory's operation.
What Comes Next
The SIT has been directed to file a chargesheet before the competent court within the prescribed time limit upon completing its investigation. During trial proceedings, it will coordinate with the Public Prosecutor to ensure timely production of all evidence, witnesses, and documents. This incident has renewed scrutiny over the enforcement of firecracker manufacturing licences and safety standards in urban industrial areas across Gujarat.
Point of View
Production quietly resumes, and enforcement catches up only after a tragedy. The SIT's 10-day progress-report deadline is a procedural signal, but the harder question is why the factory's expired licence was not flagged before workers died. Gujarat has seen similar incidents in the past; without a systemic audit of unlicensed pyrotechnic units ahead of festival seasons, SIT formations risk becoming a reactive ritual rather than a deterrent.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Ahmedabad firecracker factory explosion?
The explosion occurred at the New Gujarat Fire Works factory in Vastral's Ramol area on 19 July 2025 at around 3:45 pm. Preliminary forensic findings indicate the blast took place while firecrackers were being actively manufactured; investigators also allege the factory was operating on an expired licence.
How many people died in the Ramol factory blast?
Nine workers were killed and six others sustained serious burn injuries in the explosion. The blast also triggered a major fire that destroyed the factory premises.
Who has been arrested in connection with the Ahmedabad blast?
Police have arrested three persons: factory operator Ramila Dodiya, her son Mehul Dodiya — who allegedly managed the unit — and their alleged partner Sadiq Saiyed. Mehul Dodiya was arrested after initially fleeing the scene despite being injured in the blast.
What is the SIT formed to probe the Ahmedabad blast?
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted by Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut to conduct a thorough, impartial investigation into the explosion. It is supervised by Joint Police Commissioner Jaipal Singh Rathore and includes senior officers from Zone-8 and the S Division, with a 10-day deadline for an initial progress report.
Why was the factory allegedly operating illegally?
According to investigators, the New Gujarat Fire Works factory's manufacturing licence had expired and was not renewed. Despite this, the unit had reportedly resumed firecracker production in recent weeks to meet orders for the upcoming Ganesh festival.
