Superintendent of Police G. Bindu Madhav speaking to the media at a press conference in Kakinada on Thursday. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT
The owners of Surya Sri Fireworks (SSF) stockpiled a huge quantity of explosive materials and employed 30 workers at their firecracker manufacturing complex in Vetlapalem village, Kakinada district to meet the March 3 delivery deadline. An explosion that occurred at the SSF complex on February 28 killed 27 people, of whom 19 employees, including the owners, were burned to death.
Of the 11 survivors, eight have died while undergoing treatment at various hospitals since February 28 and two are still on ventilator support. Only one survivor was released from the hospital.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Thursday, Kakinada Superintendent of Police G. Bindu Madhav said; “The three accused Adabala Srinivasa Rao (55) and his sons, Arjun and Veerababu, stored a huge quantity of explosive materials and employed 30 laborers to supply crackers to the temple by March 3. The order for firecrackers was placed by the management of the Singaramma deity temple at Mallisala village in Kakinada district.” Mr. Srinivasa Rao was burnt alive in the blast.
The arrest of Arjun and Veerababu was confirmed on Thursday. The main accused, Mr. Arjun, holds a LE-1 license which expires on March 31. Authorizes him to make firecrackers. Mr. Veerababu holds an LE-5 license which permits the sale of firecrackers. Their father, Mr. Srinivasa Rao, was experienced in handling firecrackers.
“The accused have stepped up production to fulfill their order as the license was due to expire on March 31. The blast occurred due to ‘mishandling of explosive materials in the manufacturing complex on February 28’,” said Mr. Bindu Madhav. However, the forensic expert opinion has not yet been published.
Both accused were produced before a local court on Thursday. A case was registered against them under the Explosives Act, 1884, within the Samarlakota police limits.
Published – 05 March 2026 20:30 IST
