5 former employees of dye factory held

Five people were arrested on Saturday in connection with the colour-poisoning incident at Dharavi. A 13-year-old boy died and around 200 people were hospitalised after being poisoned on Thursday.

Five people were arrested on Saturday in connection with the colour-poisoning incident at Dharavi. A 13-year-old boy died and around 200 people were hospitalised after being poisoned on Thursday.

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On Friday, the police detained accused Abdul Gaffar Siddique, 43, who owned the dye factory at Navrang Compound in Mahim (east) from where the colour was taken. He then led the police to Mushtaq Ahmed, 38, Hyat Mohamed Shaikh, 36, Moharam Siddiqui, 42 and Mohamed Siddique, 35, who worked at the factory.

“The factory was demolished six months ago and it was the duty of these five men to dispose of the chemical dyes. Their negligence led to Thursday’s incident,” said Milind Kurde, police inspector Vijay Bagwe, assistant commissioner of police (Dharavi division) said, “The factory from where these children brought the colours is a small hut-like structure.

These children had gone to the factory and picked up whatever colour they found lying in the premises which they used in the festival around 9am on Thursday.”

The men have been arrested under section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison with intent to commit an offence) and 425 (mischief) of the IPC. They will be produced in court on Sunday.