FIR Registered at Surathkal Police Station Over MRPL Plant Explosion Citing Official Negligence

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Mangaluru : An FIR has been registered at the Surathkal Police Station against MRPL officials following a devastating explosion at the oil refinery plant, citing official negligence as the primary cause. A total of 13 people sustained injuries in the tragedy, while 23-year-old Manish Karkada, a resident of Haleyangadi in Mulki, was charred to death on the spot.

The incident unfolded around 12:15 PM when Ravi Poojary, a resident of Hirgana in Karkala who works for K-Star Food and Hospitality—a firm catering food to Phase-3 employees—arrived at the plant to distribute meals. Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the Coker Hydrotreater Unit. Along with Ravi Poojary, several refinery employees including Rajesh Prasad, Indrajit, Raman Kumar, Lokesh Kulai, Jayaram, Jerome, Avinash, Akshay, Jagjeevan Singh, and Sharath Shetty suffered injuries. Among them, Rajesh Poojary and Manish Karkada sustained critical injuries, leading to Manish’s tragic death at the scene.

Based on a complaint lodged by injured worker Ravi Poojary alleging that the unit head and MRPL management failed to maintain the machinery properly and acted with grave negligence, the Surathkal Police have registered a case under Sections 287, 125(b), and 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The deceased, 23-year-old Manish Karkada, had joined MRPL as a contract worker just a year and a half ago. The younger of twin brothers born to Albert Karkada and Sunitha Karkada of Haleyangadi, Manish was an accomplished local kabaddi player and an active member of the CSI Amman Memorial Church in Haleyangadi. His sudden demise has plunged the local community, friends, and church members into deep grief.