Six Days After Moshi Landfill Collapse, FIR Filed Against Two Antony Lara Officials; Questions Remain Over PCMC’s Role
Pimpri Chinchwad, July 14: In a major development in the Moshi Garbage Depot tragedy, the MIDC Bhosari Police have registered a criminal case against the Project Head and Safety Officer of Antony Lara Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd. in connection with the catastrophic landfill collapse that occurred on July 8. The incident claimed the lives of nine contract workers and left 12 others injured after a massive section of the landfill gave way following heavy rainfall.
The FIR (No. 367/2026) was registered at 10:40 pm on July 13 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 125(a) (act endangering life or personal safety of others), Section 125(b) (causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life), and Section 3(5) (joint liability/common intention).
Two Company Officials Named in FIR
The accused named in the FIR are:
- Ashokkumar Siyaram Sharan Gupta (59), Project Head of Antony Lara Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd., currently residing in Moshi, Pune, and originally from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
- Vijay Ramrao Sapkal (38), Safety Officer of the company, residing in Chinchwad, Pune, and originally from Buldhana, Maharashtra.
The complaint was lodged by Sohan Madhukar Nikam (55), a resident of Nigdi Pradhikaran, on behalf of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
Alleged Failure to Implement Safety Measures
According to the FIR, PCMC had awarded the contract for processing municipal solid waste to Antony Lara Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd. As part of the agreement, the company was responsible for maintaining the Secured Landfill (SLF), conducting regular inspections, and implementing all necessary safety measures, especially during the monsoon when the risk of landslides increases.
Police allege that both Gupta and Sapkal were fully aware of the potential danger posed by the massive landfill but failed to take preventive steps despite knowing that continued negligence could result in a major disaster and loss of human lives.
Investigators have stated that no adequate safety protocols were implemented to prevent the collapse, even as heavy rains had weakened the stability of the landfill.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
On July 8 at around 1:30 pm, a large portion of the Secured Landfill collapsed after continuous monsoon rainfall. The massive mound of waste and debris crashed onto a nearby administrative building and an adjoining road where workers were present, trapping several people beneath the rubble.
A large-scale rescue operation involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, Fire Brigade, Pimpri Chinchwad Police, and other emergency agencies continued for several days.
Nine workers lost their lives in the incident, while twelve others were rescued with injuries. Ironically, both of the accused officials, Project Head Ashokkumar Gupta and Safety Officer Vijay Sapkal, were also among those injured during the collapse.
Victims of the Collapse
The nine deceased workers have been identified as:
- Bhavesh Mohan Vani (33)
- Akshay Raju Sawant (32)
- Nagesh Sarjerao Gaikwad (27)
- Sunil Bharat Korke (36)
- Mahesh Suresh Kumbhar (32)
- Sunny Ashok Mane (36)
- Rahul Dhodiba Gaikwad (37)
- Ranjeet Jaywant Patil (22)
- Waman Dagdu Kasabe (54)
The injured include Ashokkumar Siyaram Sharan Gupta, Vijay Ramrao Sapkal, Munendra Kumar Sompal Singh, Chandrashekhar Sribechan Singh, Dadasaheb Kisan Arde, Somnath Tukaram Shelke, Ranveer Mahendrapratap Singh, Rampratap Amar Bahadursingh Chavan, Sachin Ramdas Dabadgaon, Sujata Santosh Shinde, Mahesh Chandrakant Raut, and Bhushan Ajay Patil.
Investigation May Expand Beyond Two Employees
While the FIR currently fixes criminal liability on the Project Head and Safety Officer, questions are being raised over whether responsibility extends beyond these two officials.
Since Antony Lara Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd. was contractually responsible for ensuring the structural safety of the landfill and implementing preventive measures, the company’s senior management and promoters could also face legal action if investigators find evidence of corporate negligence. Municipal Commissioner Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi has already issued show-cause notices in connection with the incident.
The role of PCMC officials is also expected to come under scrutiny. Senior officers from the civic body’s Environment Department, including Sanjay Kulkarni and Yogesh Alhat, have already been relieved of their responsibilities after allegations that they failed to monitor the landfill’s condition and take timely corrective action before the monsoon.
Investigators are also examining the alleged unauthorized construction of the contractor’s three-storey administrative building located dangerously close to the nearly 30-metre-high landfill. Questions are being raised over whether officials from the Town Planning and Building Permission departments failed to act against the illegal structure despite its proximity to the unstable waste mound.
Police Inspector Ganesh Jamdar is conducting further investigations, and officials have indicated that additional action may follow if evidence points to the involvement of other company executives or civic authorities.
