The probe into the Deesa firecracker factory explosion, which claimed 21 lives, has exposed how the accused father-son duo deliberately turned the unit into a death trap. Khubchand Mohanani and his son Deepak, who lacked a license to operate the fireworks godown, had ordered workers to keep the shutters closed at all times to evade authorities—leaving them with no escape when disaster struck, according to survivor Rajesh Nayak, a laborer from Madhya Pradesh.

A forensic examination confirmed that “aluminum powder,” a key firecracker ingredient, triggered the massive blast. Investigators also discovered yellow dextrin powder in the warehouse, Banaskantha SP Akshayraj Makwana revealed.

Police arrested Khubchand Mohanani in Sabarkantha district on Tuesday night, hours after his son Deepak was taken into custody. Meanwhile, 18 victims will be cremated in their native villages in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda and Dewas districts on Thursday. One boy’s remains were never fully recovered—only his severed head was found.