Patharpratima blast: Prime accused arrested as probe focuses on Panchayat’s role in illegal license

The police on Wednesday arrested Chandrakanta Banik, the prime accused in the explosion at an illegal firecracker unit in Patharpratima that killed eight people, including four children. Banik was interrogated overnight before being taken into custody in the morning. His brother, who is also linked to the unit, is currently absconding, and search operations are underway to locate him.

Officials are investigating how the local panchayat issued a business license to Banik despite his previous arrest in 2022 for illegal firecracker trading, during which 67 kg of banned explosives were seized from him. According to district administration sources, the firecracker unit was operating under a general business license that did not authorize firecracker manufacturing. "We have arrested the prime accused Chandrakanta Banik in connection with the blast," Sunderban Police District SP Koteswara Rao said.

Forensic teams are examining whether raw materials for firecracker production were stored inside the house where the explosion occurred late Monday night. Initial reports suggested a gas cylinder explosion, but officials are now determining if firecracker materials contributed to the blast. Authorities are also questioning local panchayat members regarding the licensing process and whether any background verification was conducted before granting permission to operate the unit.

The explosion caused severe damage to the house, with debris scattering across the area. The eight victims, all from the same family, were inside when the blast occurred. Investigators are working to establish the full supply chain of the illegal unit and identify other individuals possibly linked to the operation.