The Colaba Police have registered an FIR in connection with the INS Ranvir explosion that occurred in January 2022. The case was filed based on a complaint by Lieutenant Commander Sachin Kumar, who was present at the scene during the incident.
A fatal explosion took place at the Naval Dockyard, Colaba, on January 18, 2022, around 4:30 PM, due to alleged negligence by M/S Ajay Air Products (Pvt) Ltd. The company is accused of supplying Freon R152a gas instead of Freon R22, leading to the tragic incident. The explosion resulted in the deaths of three Navy personnel, while 11 others sustained injuries. Additionally, INS Ranvir suffered significant damage.
A negligence report by the Indian Navy revealed that the explosion was caused by the use of the wrong gas in the AC compartment. Instead of the prescribed Freon-22 gas, Freon-152A was mistakenly supplied, leading to the fatal accident.
Ajay Air Products, the supplier, was responsible for providing Freon-22 but allegedly delivered Freon-152A instead. Tests conducted by DRDO Delhi and IIT Powai confirmed the presence of Freon-152A, which is believed to have triggered the explosion.
Following the Navy’s findings, an FIR has been lodged against officials and employees of Ajay Air Products. The police have launched a detailed investigation into the matter.
About INS Ranvir:
INS Ranvir, a powerful warship of the Indian Navy, was commissioned on October 28, 1986. It has a length of 482 feet and a speed of 65 km/h and is equipped with anti-aircraft and anti-missile guns, torpedoes, and anti-submarine rocket launchers.
