Puttingal tragedy: Trial set to begin after 9 years

Kollam: The Paravur Puttingal temple fireworks disaster case is now set for trial proceedings after the special court rejected the discharge petitions filed by several key accused. The special court will consider the case on November 29 for serving the chargesheet to the accused.

The disaster occurred on April 10, 2016, during a competitive fireworks display, despite a district administration ban. The explosion claimed 110 lives and injured 656 people. The prosecution alleges that temple committee members and fireworks organisers unlawfully conducted the competition in defiance of official orders.

The court ruled recently to drop three individuals from the list of accused and excluded 22 others from murder charges. However, the discharge pleas of 13 defendants were dismissed. Murder charges under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code remain against 18 accused, including temple committee members, fireworks contractors, and the individual who led the fireworks competition.

Accused numbers 1 to 15 are temple committee members. Accused numbers 16 to 20 are festival organisers. The 21st accused is the person who led the fireworks. Of the first 21 accused, three have since died.

Originally, the Crime Branch’s special investigation team had charged 55 individuals with murder. Thirteen of them have died, leaving 42 to face trial. It remains unclear whether the Crime Branch will appeal against the exclusion of three accused.

Judge MC Antony of the Puttingal Special Court also discharged accused numbers 57 to 59, identified as gunpowder traders, namely Jinju of Nemom, Salim of Chirayinkeezhu, and Siyad of Anchukallummoodu in Kollam.

Workers employed by the fireworks masters, accused numbers 22 to 55, have been excluded of murder charges but will face trial under Section 304A for causing death by negligence. The 56th accused is the president of a nearby temple, alleged to have stored fireworks materials within the temple premises. The 30th accused, Anuraj, has been declared absconding.

Public Prosecutor KP Jabbar and Ambili Jabbar appeared for the prosecution, while advocates Vipin Mohan, Rajeev, and Abubacker represented accused numbers 57, 58, and 59 respectively.