Company told to execute indemnity bond of Rs 1cr
A fire broke out causing an explosion at the ammunition magazine of Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd at Naqueri-Betul last month.
MARGAO
The Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class Quepem has allowed the release of the seized propellant of Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd amounting to 13.5 tonnes stored in Magazine No 2 at the Naqueri plateau.
The company had moved the Court seeking the release of the13.5 tonnes of propellant stored in Magazine No 2 and to allow the use, transport, storage of the propellant in Magazine No 2 till the time it is being shifted to the concerned manufacturing unit at Verna.
In an other passed by JMFC Quepem Suman Gad, the company has been told to execute an indemnity bond of Rs one crore.
Allowing the application filed by Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd for the release of the seized propellant on a host of conditions, the Court has told the Applicant to undertake that upon release of the seized propellant, he shall abide with all the rules and regulations provided under the PESO, Explosive Substances Act, 1884 and any other law in force and further obtain required permissions/licence for the transport and use of said propellant.
The Applicant has been told to undertake to follow all the safety measures, precautions and all the protocols provided under theLaw/Authorities/Bodies while transporting the seized propellant to its manufacturing unit.
The Applicant has been further told to undertake that he shall not dispute the identity of the seized propellant released to him during trial.
The Mamlatdar of Quepem has been directed to verify all the required documents and inspect the certified vehicle which would be used for the transport of the said seized propellant before its release to the Applicant.
The Applicant has been told undertake that incase it is found that if there is any violation to the above conditions imposed by this Court then the amount on the indemnity bond shall be liable to be forfeited to the state.
Further, the Mamlatdar of Quepem is directed to conduct release panchanama in presence of the Investigating Officer, Deputy Collector & S.D.O. Quepem and click photographs of the seized propellant upon verifying the required documents.
In the order, te JMFC Quepem said, "Admittedly, the seized propellant was to be used for the preparation of ammunitions for Indian Army. The seized propellant would be dangerous to the public and environment if kept lying in Magazine no. 2. The destruction of the said propellant would also be hazardous to the public and the environment at large. The possibility of an untoward event cannot be ruled out if kept lying in the Magazine no. 2 for a longer period".
The JMFC added: "Considering the nature of the seized propellant, its protection and guarding is not reasonably possible. Looking into the nature of the seized propellant, it may lose its worth and value if not put for use. Since, the Applicant is ready to abide with all the conditions imposed by the Court to release and use the aforesaid seized propellant, I am of the view that it would be just and proper for the safety purpose to permit the release and use of the seized propellant to the Applicant by imposing necessary conditions. As the Applicant has shown his ownership over the seized propellant, he is entitled for the possession of the same and its use".
