Surat Crime Branch Nabs Chemical Mafia Mastermind in Gas Leak Case

Surat : The Surat Crime Branch has successfully apprehended the mastermind behind the gruesome gas leak incident that claimed the lives of six textile workers at Sachin GIDC in January 2022. Sandip Omprakash Gupta, an anti-social element and a member of the notorious Asif Tameta gang in Surat, was captured by the vigilant crime branch sleuths in Ankleshwar.

The tragic incident, which sent shockwaves through the region, occurred in January 2022 near Viswhaprem Dyeing and Printing Mills at Sachin GIDC. It resulted in the death of six textile workers, while 23 others were hospitalized after inhaling a toxic and hazardous gas that had leaked from an open runnel. The fatal gas leak was caused by the dumping of hazardous chemical waste into the open runnel from a tanker in the early hours of January 6, 2022.

The laborers, on their way to night duty, began collapsing as they inhaled the noxious fumes, and some of those who were sleeping by the roadside also fell unconscious. The incident shook the local community and led to a determined pursuit of justice by the Surat Crime Branch.

The Crime Branch’s relentless efforts resulted in the arrest of approximately 15 individuals implicated in the illegal dumping of hazardous chemical waste in the open drains of Sachin GIDC. Sandip Gupta, however, had managed to evade capture and was declared a fugitive in connection with the chemical dumping case.

The police have filed a comprehensive charge sheet spanning 375 pages, detailing the intricate web of individuals involved in this heinous crime. Within this complex network, the name of Sandeep Omprakash Gupta emerged as the orchestrator of the illegal chemical dumping operations. Gupta had been on the run since the case was registered, further intensifying the police’s pursuit.

Based on critical information received by the Crime Branch, Sandeep Omprakash Gupta was tracked down and ultimately apprehended in Ankleshwar. Gupta’s arrest marks a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation and sends a clear message that those responsible for such heinous acts will be brought to justice.

Gupta’s evasion of arrest had led to the issuance of an arrest warrant under CrPC Section 70, which ultimately facilitated his capture from the Surat court’s jurisdiction.