Hyderabad: After a catastrophic explosion on 30 June 2025, at the Sigachi Industries plant in Pashamailaram, Sangareddy district, which shook Telangana and the nation, the victims and their families continue to languish in a state of neglect and financial peril, awaiting the justice and compensation promised by the state.

The incident, which claimed 54 lives and left 28 injured, stands as the deadliest industrial tragedy in India since the Bhopal gas disaster opines various civil society organizations. In the aftermath, on 1 July 2025, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy conducted an on-site review. He announced a compensation package of Rs 1 crore for the families of each deceased worker. Additionally, Rs 10 lakhs were promised to each seriously injured worker, and Rs 5 lakhs to those slightly injured. Despite immediate assurances from the highest levels of government, a coalition of civil society organizations, lawyers, and scientists asserts that promises remain largely unfulfilled and accountability has been evaded.

In addition to the financial assistance, the government's support package extends beyond including medical care, the injured are to receive the best medical services free of cost. Logistical support, the government will bear the cost of transporting the bodies of the deceased to their native places. Long-term rehabilitation, in a significant move for long-term support, the Chief Minister ordered the Collector to take steps to admit the children of the deceased workers into government residential schools. In a critical lapse, the families of the 54 deceased have not even been issued official death certificates, further complicating their access to other benefits and closure.Meanwhile, the temporary 90-day closure of the company's Hyderabad unit has left many workers jobless, compounding the disaster's economic fallout. 

Scientist Dr. Kalapala Baburao fights for Sigachi victims in court, Next hearing on Sept 17

The quest for justice has moved to the Telangana High Court. On 25 July 2025, scientist Dr. K. Baburao from Scientists for People (SFP) filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking urgent judicial intervention to ensure justice for the victims. The case is being prosecuted by advocate Vasudha Nagaraj. The next hearing is slated for 17 September 2025.

The development came during the hearing of a PIL. On the hearing held on 28 August 2025 before a bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin, T. Rajinikanth Reddy, the learned Additional Advocate General for the State of Telangana, appeared for the state government departments. He submitted that the state had filed its counter-affidavit in compliance with the court's previous order dated 31 July 2025, and a copy had been served to the petitioner's counsel.

The Telangana state government, in a comprehensive counter-affidavit filed before the High Court, has acknowledged the ‘dangerous’ and ‘negligent’ nature of the company's operations in the Sigachi blast. The state’s counter, prepared with inputs from the Home, Industries, and Labour Departments, along with the Sangareddy District Collector, revealed that the government provided a detailed list of the 54 deceased, categorizing them as 20 permanent employees, 16 temporary workers, and 10 contract workers. Details of their native states were also included.

Further, it stated that death certificates for 43 victims are ready, while three are pending. For the eight workers initially classified as missing, whose deaths have now been confirmed, the Tehsildar has filed a special FIR, and their certificates will be prepared soon. The presence of all deceased workers at the factory was confirmed through attendance registers, biometric data, and mobile location records.

Besides, the affidavit cites the interim report of the expert committee, confirming the ‘dangerous’ and ‘negligent’ nature of the company's operations, making it responsible. Despite this, no arrests have been made. A case has been filed in the Sangareddy Magistrate Court by the District Fire Officer. The Inspector of Factories has issued a showcase notice under Section 92 of the Factories Act. The final report of the High-Powered Committee is still awaited and has not been released.

Accordingly, Vasudha Nagaraj, the learned counsel representing Dr. Babu Rao, requested a week's time to study the state's counter and, based on instructions from her client, file a rejoinder affidavit. Subsequently, the Telangana High Court bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin has adjourned the hearing of the Sigachi Industries explosion case to 17 September 2025, granting one week to the petitioner’s counsel to study the state government’s counter-affidavit and file a response, if necessary.

Civil Societies Rally for Sigachi Victims Justice and Compensation

Indeed, a united front of Telangana's civil society has intensified its pressure. A fact-finding committee was established from various civil society organizations on July 12 to document the truth on the ground. This was followed by a powerful seminar on August 26, 2025, at the Mount Fort Institute of Social Sciences, themed 'Safety Comes Before Profit'.

A fact-finding committee from the various civil organizations was established on July 12 to document the truth on the ground. Kanneganti Ravi from Telangana Peoples Joint Action Committee (TPJAC), who is part of the fact-finding committee, told Hyderabad Mail, “The working conditions within industrial plantations and factories have revealed significant concerns regarding the treatment of contractual and casual labourers. Further, a substantial portion of the workforce is migratory labourers from North India. These workers are often subject to grueling schedules, with shifts extending up to 12 hours a day for minimal pay. This practice points to the systemic exploitation of a vulnerable workforce.” Further, he explained that basic amenities are frequently neglected, many workers are housed in barracks without proper ventilation or access to adequate drinking water.

“The state government constituted a committee to investigate the causes of accidents and injuries. The committee members could not collect any details of those who have been exposed to the danger till now, which is a hindrance. The family members brought it to our team's attention,” added Ravi.

Narrating the on-ground experience, Ravi said, “During the visit of our group, led by Dr. K Babu Rao, we spoke to the family, people, and those who were present at the Sigachi site to understand the reasons and sequence of events that happened on that day. From their replies, we learned that the first explosion happened in the spray dryer and destroyed it completely. Due to the intensity of the explosion, the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) dust that had accumulated in the building was thrown into the air. Which led to the second explosion. These two blasts took place in a very short period of time. Since the second explosion was much larger than the first, it created a storm of destruction. There was a toll on lives in this accident.

On 2 July, the Government of Telangana issued a Government Order (GO) constituting a high-level expert committee to investigate the causes and circumstances of the incident. The committee comprises esteemed experts from premier national institutions, the committee has been specifically tasked with examining the presence and role of hazardous substances and evaluating compliance with industrial safety protocols. The committee is required to submit a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations within one month from the date of its formation. However, after almost three months, the final report of the High-Powered Committee is still awaited and has not been released, added Ravi.

The movement now culminated into a round table meeting which was to be held on 9 September 2025, that was going to bring together a formidable gathering of Telangana's most prominent voices for justice. The meeting will feature leaders from across the spectrum including Scientists for People (SFP), Human Rights Forum (HRF), Telangana Peoples Joint Action Committee (TPJAC), National Alliance for Peoples Movement (NAPM), and Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR).  They opine that the Sigachi tragedy was a result of criminal negligence by the industry owners and a catastrophic failure of government departments tasked with ensuring safety regulations.

The organizers' main demands include the immediate disbursement of the pending Rs 75 lakh compensation to each affected family, the swift issuance of death certificates, stringent criminal action against the negligent industry owners, and a complete overhaul of industrial safety standards to prevent such a tragedy from ever recurring. The organizers urged leaders from all public unions, labour organizations, businesses, and every citizen who cares for justice to join them.