Gwalior Police Seize 600 Kg Calcium Carbide, Arrest Warehouse Operator

Gwalior police have seized about 600 kg of calcium carbide allegedly stored illegally at a steel warehouse in the city. The action was taken against the alleged unauthorised storage of the chemical after restrictions on carbide guns. Warehouse operator Rikesh Pasrija was arrested, and a case has been registered against him.

The seizure was carried out at Raja Steel warehouse in Transport Nagar, under the Bahodapur police station area. Police said the calcium carbide had been kept in six drums. The material was allegedly being stored without a licence.

The police action followed information received from an informer. Based on the tip-off, police raided the warehouse and searched the premises. During the search, they found about 600 kg of calcium carbide stored in six drums and seized the chemical.

According to the police, preparations were under way to use or distribute the chemical before Diwali. The arrested warehouse operator is currently being questioned. Police are trying to find out where the calcium carbide had been brought from and to whom it was to be supplied.

The action comes after the administration increased enforcement against the storage of calcium carbide in view of the possibility of accidents linked to the use of carbide guns during Diwali.

In the district, the administration has imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, or BNSS. The restrictions cover the storage, purchase and sale of calcium carbide.

Despite these restrictions, a large quantity of the chemical was found stored at the warehouse. The police action is therefore being viewed as important in the ongoing enforcement against illegal calcium carbide storage connected with carbide guns.

After the seizure of the 600 kg stock, police have begun investigating the people who may be involved in the supply chain behind it. The investigation is examining the purchase, transportation and possible sale of the chemical.

Police are also questioning Rikesh Pasrija to establish how the stock reached the Raja Steel warehouse and who may have been intended recipients of the material. Officials are looking into the possible supply network connected with the seized calcium carbide. Other names linked to the network may emerge during the questioning, police said.