Hathras Police Recover Rs 12 Lakh Firecrackers, Arrest Two in Illegal Storage Case

Hathras police have taken major action against the illegal storage of firecrackers ahead of Diwali, recovering firecrackers estimated to be worth around Rs 12 lakh from a warehouse in Sasni. Two accused have been arrested in connection with the case.

The raid was conducted at a warehouse located next to Radhika Hotel in Sasni. According to the police, the firecracker stock was being stored at a location different from the one mentioned in the licence. Firefighting equipment was also not found at the warehouse during the inspection.

The action is part of a district-wide campaign being carried out against the illegal storage of fireworks and firecrackers on the directions of Superintendent of Police Chiranjiv Nath Sinha. The operation was conducted by the Sasni police station under the direction of the Additional Superintendent of Police and the supervision of the Circle Officer, City.

The Sasni police received information about the warehouse and took action on Thursday, 15 October. The police team called the owner of the warehouse to the spot and got the shutter opened. A search was then conducted as per the rules. The entire search process was also videographed, according to the police.

During the search, the team found different types of firecrackers stored inside the warehouse. The stock was kept in 232 cartons and three plastic sacks. Police said the estimated value of the recovered fireworks was around Rs 12 lakh.

During the investigation, accused Rohit Sharma produced a licence for storing fireworks. The licence, identified as licence number 08/2023/Nyay Sahayak-Explosive Substances, has a storage capacity of 1500 kilograms. According to the police, the licence was stated to be valid until 24 August 2028.

The location approved for storage in the licence was recorded as Nagla Bhambhujat, Tehsil Sasni, Agra-Aligarh National Highway, Sasni. However, the firecrackers were found stored at Arjun Singh’s warehouse instead of the location specified in the licence.

The police investigation also found that firefighting equipment was not available at the site. In addition, the police have raised the possibility that the quantity of firecrackers stored at the warehouse was more than the capacity permitted under the licence.

On the basis of the recovery and the facts that emerged during the investigation, the police registered a case under the Explosives Act and started further legal proceedings. The action covers the alleged violation involving the storage of fireworks at an unauthorised location and the other issues found during the inspection.

The two arrested accused have been identified as Arjun Singh, son of Sahab Singh, a resident of village Ruhl under Sasni police station, and Rohit Sharma, son of Ramprakash Sharma, a resident of village Dwarikapur under Sasni police station.

A case has been registered at Sasni police station under Case Crime Number 404/2026. The charges have been filed under Sections 5/9B(1)(b) of the Explosives Act, 1884.

The police team that carried out the operation included Station House Officer Inspector Vipin Chaudhary and personnel from Sasni police station. The investigation and further legal action in the case are continuing.