SOURCE: AFI
Mumbai’s Colaba police have registered a case against officials of Ajay Airproducts Pvt Ltd, a gas supplier, for allegedly supplying an incorrect and flammable refrigerant to the Indian Navy, which triggered a fatal explosion aboard the destroyer INS Ranvir in January 2022. The incident, which occurred at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, claimed the lives of three sailors and injured 11 others, leaving the 4,000-tonne warship severely damaged.
The blast took place on January 18, 2022, in the air conditioning compartment of INS Ranvir while the vessel was docked at the Naval Dockyard in Colaba. According to police officials aware of the matter, the case was filed on Wednesday based on findings from a Board of Inquiry constituted by the Indian Navy to investigate the incident. The inquiry revealed that Ajay Airproducts had supplied a flammable refrigerant, Hydrofluorocarbon-152 (R152), instead of the requested non-combustible Hydrochlorofluorocarbon-22 (R22), commonly known as Freon R22.
The Board of Inquiry’s report highlighted a critical error in the supply chain. The Navy had specifically contracted Ajay Airproducts to provide R22, a widely used refrigerant known for its non-flammable properties, to service the warship’s air conditioning system. However, the company allegedly delivered R152, a technically incompatible gas that is not only flammable but also releases toxic fumes when ignited. This substitution is believed to have caused the explosion, resulting in loss of life, injuries, and significant damage to the warship.
“Based on the report of the Board of Inquiry to understand how the incident took place on the 4,000-tonne warship, INS Ranvir, we have registered a case against officials and responsible persons of Ajay Air Products Pvt Ltd for supplying the gas that led to the death of the navy personnel and injured several of them, and also damaged the warship badly,” said Pravin Munde, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone I.
The police have booked the officials under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, though specific charges were not detailed in the initial statement. The case underscores the gravity of the oversight, given the high stakes involved in maintaining the operational integrity of a naval vessel like INS Ranvir, a Rajput-class destroyer that has served the Indian Navy since 1986.
The explosion not only resulted in a tragic loss of life but also raised questions about the safety protocols and quality control measures employed by suppliers catering to the armed forces. The 11 injured sailors received medical attention following the incident, while the Navy worked to assess and repair the damage to the warship.
The incident has brought renewed scrutiny to the processes governing the procurement and verification of materials supplied to India’s military. The Navy’s reliance on external vendors for critical components, such as refrigerants used in onboard systems, highlights the need for stringent oversight and accountability at every level of the supply chain. The Board of Inquiry’s findings suggest that the mix-up could have been avoided with proper checks, raising concerns about whether Ajay Airproducts adhered to industry standards and contractual obligations.
For the families of the three sailors who lost their lives, the registration of the case offers a step toward justice, though it cannot undo the tragedy. The injured personnel, meanwhile, continue to recover from the physical and psychological toll of the blast.
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