Sattur firecracker accident: Owner of cracker unit arrested

MADURAI: Police on Wednesday arrested the owner of Mariammal Fireworks Industry near

Sattur

where an accident happened last week claiming the lives of 20 people.

Proprietor M Santhamari, 66, was produced before a judicial magistrate after an inquiry. As Santhamari complained of health ailment, he was shifted to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai on the same day. A police officer said that Santhamari was suffering from age-related illnesses.

The police initially registered a case against six pople-- M Santhanamari, leasees Sakthivel, Raja, Sivakumar, his son Ponnupandi and Velraj. Later, Sakthivel's wife Jayaramu was also booked.

While Ponnupandi, Santhanamari, Sakthivel and Jayaramu have been arrested, a search is still on for Sivakumar and Velraj.