December 5, 2025 08:34 AM IST

First published on: Dec 5, 2025 at 07:05 AM IST

It seemed the capital would choke. Tonnes of sulphuric acid fumes from a tank that collapsed in a factory swept over North Delhi, through the walled city all the way to the east, spreading irritation and panic. Giant clouds of fumes rolled south and east from the Shriram Foods and Fertiliser Industries factory at New Rohtak Road after the tank collapsed. Thousands were affected in North and Central Delhi, the day after the first anniversary of the Bhopal disaster.

L-G orders probe

Yet another inquiry has been ordered now to study the functioning of the Shriram Foods and Fertiliser Industries on New Rohtak Road. The Lieutenant Governor, H L Kapoor, said a team of four experts would go into the causes of the leak. The terms of reference would be drawn up soon, he said. The experts would say why the leak occurred, what should have been done to prevent it and recommend steps to ensure such accidents do not recur, he said.

Three arrested, released

Three senior executives of the Shriram Food and Fertilisers factory were arrested after sulphuric acid fumes leaked out from the plant causing injuries and panic in the city. The three are V D Sharma, general-manager, I M Kaul, plant manager, and Y C Jain, plant engineer. They have been charged with causing hurt by negligence under Sections 336 and 337 of the Indian Penal Code, the police chief, Ved Marwah, said. They were later let off on bail.

US NSA resigns

The National Security Adviser, Robert McFarlane, has resigned from his top foreign policy post after a protracted feud with the White House chief of staff, Donald Regan, administration officials said. White House officials maintained an official silence on administration developments, and it appeared they planned to make a formal announcement when a successor had been selected.