The devastating LPG tanker fire on the Ajmer-Jaipur Highway early Friday has left a trail of casualties, injuries, and missing persons, including retired IAS officer Karni Singh.
“Karni Singh left his farmhouse on Ajmer Road but did not return. He is said to be a retired IAS officer,” confirmed Mr. Amit Kumar (2018-batch IPS officer), DCP (West).
Authorities have been approached by families reporting other missing individuals who were traveling by bus or car at the time of the incident. Despite extensive searches, some remain unaccounted for, with no trace in nearby hospitals.
To aid identification efforts, the State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has collected bone samples from five unidentified victims. DNA profiles are being matched with close relatives to establish identities, a critical step for ensuring rightful compensation for the victims’ families.
The investigation faces additional hurdles due to the condition of the vehicles involved. Nearly 10 charred vehicles remain unidentified because ownership records were not updated after multiple sales, often conducted via online platforms.
“Many registered owners told us they sold the vehicles to others who didn’t transfer ownership,” a senior officer explained, highlighting the challenges posed by incomplete documentation.
Efforts to identify the missing and provide closure to affected families continue as authorities navigate these complex circumstances.
