Police seizures of firecrackers and explosive material from shops across four police station areas in Indore have highlighted the risks created when festive-season sales and storage take place without the required licences and documents, according to a report by the Times of India citing an official police release.
The action was carried out on Thursday in Vijay Nagar, Pardeshipura, Khajrana and Lasudia. Police seized stocks from traders who allegedly could not produce valid licences or supporting documents. Officials said enforcement against unauthorised sellers would continue as the festive season approaches.
The largest seizure described in the report took place in Vijay Nagar. Police found firecrackers being sold outside Krishna Fire Works in Scheme No. 54 and also found a larger stock stored inside the premises. Mridul Ahuja, 19, who was present at the location, allegedly could not produce a licence. Police seized eight boxes valued at about Rs 2 lakh and booked him under Section 288 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Explosives Act, 1884.
In Pardeshipura, police acted on a tip-off and found Omprakash Pathak, 58, allegedly selling firecrackers from a shop outside his house in the Janata Quarter area. The stock was seized after he allegedly failed to produce a licence or the required documents. A case was registered under the Explosives Act, and he was served a notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
Police reported another seizure in Khajrana, where Mayank Chaurasia, 35, and Manoj Chaurasia, 25, were allegedly selling firecrackers without a licence from a shop near Robert Chauraha. The stock was seized, a case was registered under the Explosives Act and notices were issued under Section 35(3) of the BNSS.
Lasudia police separately found Sudeep, 34, allegedly selling firecrackers in Scheme No. 78 and Ravi Jain, 34, in Singapore Township. Their stocks were seized and sealed, while the proceedings were videographed through the e-Sakshya application. Both were booked under the Explosives Act and Section 288 of the BNS and served notices under Section 35(3) of the BNSS.
The reported enforcement action points to the administrative challenge of regulating temporary and informal firecracker sales in expanding residential areas. The locations mentioned in the police account include markets, shops outside homes and commercial premises in neighbourhoods spread across the city. Licensing and documentation requirements are intended to govern where explosive materials can be stored and sold, but the seizures indicate that enforcement remains necessary at the street and shop level.
There is, however, a discrepancy in the supplied report that requires clarification. Its headline and summary state that four traders were booked, while the detailed account names six individuals across the four police station areas. The police release or a follow-up clarification would be required to establish the final number of people booked and the precise cases registered.
According to the report, officials have warned that action against illegal traders will continue. The next step is expected to involve further checks on sellers and storage locations, along with proceedings under the Explosives Act and the relevant provisions of the BNS and BNSS.
