The fireworks competition at Puttingal Devi temple in Kerala, which led to the accident that left at least 102 people dead and more than 200 injured, was held without permission from district authorities, a preliminary inquiry revealed on Sunday.
A case has been registered against the temple trust members and some of them were detained for questioning, sources said.
Kollam District collector Shainamol said, "Permission was not given by the district administration to hold the fireworks display. Despite that they went ahead with the fireworks competition, which caused the devastation. A high level probe has been ordered."
Some unconfirmed reports said the temple trust received a last minute call to go ahead with show but it is yet not clear who took the decision to go ahead with the fireworks.
"The permission to hold fireworks competition was turned down after repeated complaints from local people. They complained that holding such fireworks competitions in that locality is unsafe," sources said.
There are allegations that the temple management failed to maintain the mandatory safety distance of at least 100 meters between the devotees, the site of fireworks, and the godown where the crackers were stored.
"The venue for fireworks was also not cordoned off and people were seen venturing close to the firework site, risking their lives. We heard that someone called Susheelan who conducted the firework display does not have any license to conduct such firework shows," said a resident of Kollam.
The fire broke out around 3.30 am during the fireworks competition popularly known as 'Matsara Kambam'. The fireworks display is the biggest of its kind in Kerala during the 'Meena Bharani' celebration.
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