MRPL announces ₹1.2 crore compensation after fatal Mangaluru fire

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) has announced total compensation of ₹1.2 crore for the family of 30-year-old contract employee Manish Karkada, who died in a fire at the company’s Mangaluru unit on September 30. MRPL said in a statement that it would provide ₹90 lakh in financial support. The family was also eligible for about ₹10 lakh under Group Term Life Insurance and ₹20 lakh under a Workmen Compensation Policy.

The company said a proposal for Mediclaim insurance for secondary-workforce employees was under consideration. It said the proposal would be finalised after discussions with the Member of Parliament and the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner. The announcement came as a group of contract employees protested outside the company’s gate, seeking adequate compensation for Mr.

Karkada’s family and other injured workers. A two-member committee comprising the Joint Director and Deputy Director of the Department of Factories and Boilers visited the accident site on Thursday as part of a statutory inquiry. One injured person, who suffered 40% burns, remained in critical condition, according to the report.

The fire began around noon on September 30 after a rupture in the cold separator operating at high pressure in the Coker Hydrotreater Unit. Twelve people sustained burns. Mr.

Karkada’s charred body was found after the fire was extinguished at about 3 p.m. Contract workers accused MRPL of negligence during the visit of district in-charge Minister U.T. Khader to the Wenlock Hospital mortuary.

The company’s account of the incident did not include a response to those allegations. Surathkal police registered a case against heads of the Coker Hydrotreater Unit and MRPL following a complaint by Ravi Poojary. The case invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita concerning negligent conduct involving fire, acts endangering human life and causing death through a rash or negligent act.