Gujarat Police Seize Firecrackers Worth Rs 2.68 Lakh from Two Shops Operating Without Licences

Police registered cases against both shop owners under the Explosives Act, 1884, after inspections on October 25 checked compliance with licensing requirements and fire safety norms.

According to the police, the operation was carried out on the instructions of senior officials, who had directed teams to take action against the unauthorised sale and storage of explosive materials ahead of the festival.

The inspections were conducted under the supervision of P. B. Chaudhary, police inspector with the Aravalli-Modasa SOG.

### Firecrackers Worth Nearly Rs 2.7 Lakh Seized

During the inspection at Mahadev Traders, owned by Sanjaykumar Thakkar, the police found 1,116 boxes of different types of firecrackers valued at Rs 98,076. The stock was allegedly being kept without the required licence.

At Sai Baba Seasonal Firecracker Shop, owned by Vinodkumar Khatri, the team recovered another 1,338 boxes valued at Rs 1,70,162.

The combined seizure from the two premises amounted to 2,454 boxes of firecrackers worth Rs 2,68,238.

### Police Flag Fire Safety Concerns

The police also reported potential safety hazards at both shops, where electrical wiring had been routed through plastic pipes along the exterior walls instead of being installed within them.

According to the police, the arrangement posed a risk of short circuits and fire, raising concerns about the safety of people in and around the premises where the firecrackers were stored.

The police alleged that the shop owners had not made adequate arrangements to guard against the risk of fire and injury while storing the explosive materials.

### Cases Registered Under Explosives Act

Cases were registered against both shop owners under Section 9(B)(1)(b) of the Explosives Act, 1884, and legal proceedings were initiated.

Thakkar, who owns Mahadev Traders, resides in Jhulelal Society on Madhi Ashram Road in Vijapur taluka of Mehsana district. Khatri, the owner of Sai Baba Seasonal Firecracker Shop, is a resident of Akshardham Society in Dhansura, Aravalli district.

The action comes ahead of Diwali, when authorities typically step up inspections to check compliance with licensing and safety requirements governing the storage and sale of firecrackers.