Compensation Paid To Injured, Family Members Of Victims Of Mundathikode Fireworks Accident: State Tells Kerala High Court
The Kerala Government on Wednesday (July 22) told the High Court that compensation has been paid to the family members of the deceased as well as to those injured in Mundathikode fireworks accident.The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. was considering a suo motu public interest litigation initiated in the aftermath of the accident that claimed 16 lives...
The Kerala Government on Wednesday (July 22) told the High Court that compensation has been paid to the family members of the deceased as well as to those injured in Mundathikode fireworks accident.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. was considering a suo motu public interest litigation initiated in the aftermath of the accident that claimed 16 lives and injured 16 others.
The fireworks accident occurred around 3:20 p.m. on April 21 at a firework unit at Mundathikode, situated about 16 km from Thrissur, while it was preparing materials for the Thrissur Pooram.
When the matter came up yesterday, the Advocate General told that an affidavit has been filed in the case on behalf of the State government. He also informed the Court about the payment of compensation.
Since the Additional Solicitor General of India (ASGI) representing the Union sought time to file a counter in the case, the matter has now been posted to August 5 for further consideration.
Last time, the Court had granted time to the State and Central government to place their respective counter affidavits on record. The State had said that the counter would outline the steps taken to ensure that a similar incident does not happen in the future and also to rehabilitate and compensate the victims as well as their relatives.
State's affidavit
An affidavit has been filed in the proceedings by the District Collector of Thrissur, Sikha Surendran, who has stated that immediately on receipt of the information the entire district administration was mobilised under her leadership and all measures were taken to ensure prompt rescue, medical assistance, rehabilitation and preventive action.
It is also stated that the District Emergency Operation Centre under the District Disaster Management Authority immediately activated the emergency response mechanism and disseminated alerts to the police, and the fire and rescue services department. Moreover, the fire services arrived within 17 minutes of receipt of information and the fire was brought down by 6 p.m. that same day, it is stated.
It is further stated that services of doctors from nearby districts were also secured to deal with the medical emergency. She has also stated that 24-hour operational control rooms were set up at different sites and various government authorities were assigned responsibilities for rescue operations, victim assistance, maintenance of records, coordination with hospitals, and dissemination of official information.
The Collector has affirmed that the government directives and SOPs issued by the Disaster Management Authorities were strictly complied with and without any delay.
Use of prohibited substance
The affidavit states that firecracker manufacturing unit had an explosive licence valid till March 31, 2028 but the police authorities, who inspected the area, had reportedly found a prohibited substance 'chlorite'.
"The preliminary findings of the investigation indicate that an ignition resulting from friction or heat generated during the manual assembly process of the materials, including the said banned articles, led to the accident. Once the initial explosion occurred, the close proximity of large quantities of stored explosive materials appears to have triggered a chain reaction, resulting in multiple secondary explosions which considerably intensified the magnitude and impact of the incident," states the Collector in the affidavit.
Independent inquiry, judicial commission and special investigation team
It is stated that an independent magisterial inquiry is ordered as per the Explosives Act for examining the circumstances leading to the accident and for suggesting measures to prevent similar incidents.
Additionally, a single-member judicial commission headed by Justice C.N. Ramachandran (Retd.) is also ordered by the government, it stated.
A special investigation team (SIT) headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police is also probing the crime, states the affidavit. Chargesheet has been filed with offences under Sections 288, 105, 110 and 118(2) of the BNS along with Sections 3(a), 9-B(1)(a) & (b) and 9-B(2) of the Explosive Act.
Compensation
"Financial assistance was distributed to the dependents of the 16 persons who lost their lives, amounting to ₹4 Lakhs each from the SDRF and ₹10 Lakhs each from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). Furthermore, administrative process for allocation ₹2 Lakhs each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) has been successfully completed and forwarded," it is stated.
For the 16 injured persons, financial assistance of ₹2 lakhs each from the CMDRF is sanctioned and disbursed to 11 who reported, states the affidavit.
Financial assistance from private entities
The affidavit also states that private entities like the Lulu Group, Kalyan Jewellers, Manappuram Finance, Regal Jewellers have sanctioned financial assistance to the victims' families and some of them have sanctioned amounts to the injured.
Mental health support
A special campaign involving house visits was conducted under the leadership of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) to provide psychosocial counseling to local residents and families traumatised by the disaster, it is stated.
Preventive measures
It is stated that the District Fire Officer, Thrissur was directed to undertake an immediate inspection of all operational firecracker ships and manufacturing units in the district to ensure strict compliance with law and safety standards. Tahsildars and police was also directed to inspect establishments with fireworks to ensure that there are valid licences and adherence to safety standards. There are multidisciplinary teams entrusted to conduct continuous monitoring as well, it is stated.
Training programmes are also requested for officers regarding safety inspection procedures under the Explosives Act and Rules.
Case Title: Suo Motu Proceedings v. Union of India & Ors.
Case No: WP(PIL) 104/ 2026
Counsel for the respondents: K. Jaju Babu - AG, P. Sreekumar - ASGI, K.P. Sudheer - SC - Cochin Devaswom Board