Pulgaon Ammo Depot Blaze: HC notice to DDP, OFB over plea by Army officer’s wife

CHANDIGARH: Taking cognisance of a plea filed by the wife of an Army officer who died in the May 2016 blaze at Central Ammunition Depot (CAD), Pulgaon in Maharashtra, the Punjab and Haryana high court has issued a notice to the Department of Defence Production (DDP) and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) on her plea against inaction by the authorities in the matter.

In her plea, the Army officer’s widow, who has also served in the Army, has demanded compensation as well as action for the failure of authorities to act upon the directions of the defence minister to fix responsibility in the matter.

Petitioner Major Reenu Ohlan, wife of Lt Col RS Pawar, has pointed out in her petition that the Army had earnestly made multiple requests to the OFB, asking them to remove defective anti-tank mines from CAD. The Army had in strong terms put on record that the matter was being “delayed deliberately” and “dragged unendingly”, thereby leading to serious threat to safety and security of personnel and danger to the establishment.

No effective action whatsoever was taken by the OFB, ultimately leading to the tragic blast in the establishment because of defective mines leading to a loss of 19 lives and massive damage to national property, the petitioner, who is Rohtak based, has argued.

The deceased officer in the case was posthumously decorated for gallantry in the tragedy that took place on May 31, 2016.

The petitioner has also pointed out that after the court of inquiry (COI) established the lapses at various stages at the OFB end, directions were issued by the then defence minister to fix responsibility and criminal culpability and to replace and dispose all defective ammunition. It was further stated that despite the fact that the highest political executive in July 2016 had directed action to be taken in the matter within one month, no effective steps have been taken till date.

The petition also stated that despite the Army supporting her like a family and even the political executive extending assistance, DDP and OFB have shown total apathy, negligence and indifference.

Besides seeking compensation from both agencies, the petitioner has sought action on directions passed by the defence minister for fixing accountability and culpability in the tragedy and also for ensuring time-bound removal of all defective ammunition to prevent any such catastrophe in the future.