Ahmedabad Illegal Firecracker Factory Blast: Court Sends Prime Accused Mother-Son Duo and Associate to Sabarmati Jail

A local judicial magistrate court on Monday remanded three key accused, including a mother-son duo, to Sabarmati Central Jail in connection with the catastrophic explosion at an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Vastral that claimed the lives of 12 factory workers.

Primary accused Rahul Dodia, his mother Ramilaben Dodia, and their associate Sadiq Ali were sent to judicial custody after the Ramol police chose not to seek further custodial interrogation upon the expiration of their seven-day police remand.

The trio operated 'New Gujarat Fireworks' without any government permissions or safety permits in a shed situated on agricultural land in the outskirts of Vastral village.

Deadly Explosion Unfolds During Peak Shift

The tragedy struck on 18 July 2026 at approximately 3:33 PM, when a massive explosion ripped through the unit's chemical storage area. Investigating officers revealed that a volatile mixture of explosive materials, primarily potassium nitrate used in manufacturing firecrackers, ignited suddenly, triggering a ferocious blaze.

Eleven migrant workers, including young children illegally hired as daily-wage labour, were trapped inside the makeshift structure and died of severe burn injuries and asphyxiation before emergency services could contain the inferno.

Police Wrap Up Initial Remand, Court Mandates Judicial Custody

Following the incident, the Ramol police registered a criminal case against the operators and arrested Rahul Dodia, Ramilaben Dodia, and Sadiq Ali.

Authorities produced them before the magistrate court and secured a seven-day police remand to investigate the supply chain of illicit raw materials and the network behind the unauthorized operation.

When the remand period concluded on Monday, July 27, prosecuting officials informed the court that preliminary questioning regarding operational logistics was complete. Accepting the submission, the magistrate ordered all three accused to be transferred directly to Sabarmati Central Jail under judicial custody while forensic analyses and final chargesheet preparations continue.