Police on Thursday arrested the wife and son of alleged illegal firecracker factory owner Naushad in connection with the August 31 Kaushambi blast that killed 14 people, including nine children. Kahkasha Bano was arrested hours after her 18-year-old son Adil was held following an alleged encounter. Naushad, the alleged prime accused, had been arrested earlier after being injured in a police encounter.For representation only (Sourced)Kahkasha was among six members of Naushad’s family named as accused in the case registered after the explosion at the illegal firecracker manufacturing and storage unit in the Chilla Shahbazi-Manauri area. She was carrying a reward of ₹25,000 and had been absconding, police said.Adil, also carrying a reward of ₹25,000, was arrested early Thursday after a joint team of Pipri police and the special operations group intercepted him near the Kamalpur Barethi canal bridge. Police said Adil allegedly opened fire while attempting to escape after being surrounded.In retaliatory firing, Adil suffered bullet injuries in both legs and was admitted to a medical college, police said. A .315-bore country-made pistol, one live cartridge and two spent cartridges were allegedly recovered from him.According to police, Adil admitted during preliminary questioning to manufacturing and storing illegal firecrackers and explosive material with family members and associates for financial gain. He will be produced before a court after treatment.Naushad, 50, was arrested on Tuesday after he was injured in a police encounter. Police later registered another FIR against him for allegedly opening fire at a police team during the encounter.Of the six accused named in the case, only Shakeel, brother of the alleged prime accused, remains at large. Meanwhile, the IG Prayagraj has increased the reward for information leading to his arrest to ₹50,000.Charwa SHO Vinay Kumar Singh lodged the case, alleging that a bullet fired by Naushad narrowly missed him when police attempted to arrest him near Kazipur turn on the Syed Sarawan-Terahmil road. An attempt to murder case has been added to the cases already registered against him.Naushad’s seventh warehouse raidedPolice on Thursday raided Naushad’s seventh identified warehouse in Manauri, recovering 20 sacks and a drum containing explosive material and a pickup-load of firecrackers. The explosives were destroyed and the warehouse demolished, officials said.Police also raided a DJ warehouse operated by Adil and seized equipment.Earlier, six other warehouses linked to Naushad, along with his house and other structures, had been demolished.Police also raided a warehouse near Bharwari in Muratganj, located in a house owned by Kahkasha, and allegedly seized a large quantity of illegally stored firecrackers. The stock was destroyed and the building demolished.The August 31 blast case was registered at Pipri police station under Sections 105 and 288 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the Explosives Act.Illegal firecrackers seized in SirathuIn a separate raid at Deviganj in Sirathu, Kadadham police seized around 1.5 quintals of firecrackers and 62 kg of explosive material.Police arrested Roshan Ansari, who allegedly told investigators that he had rented his house to Lal Mohammad and that they, along with Mohammad’s son Firdous Alam alias Sonu, were involved in making and selling firecrackers.Police also raided Brijesh Gautam’s house, where firecrackers were allegedly concealed after the Chilla Shahbaji blast. Further investigation is underway, police said.8 lekhpals, revenue inspector suspendedThe administrative action widened on Thursday, with eight lekhpals and a revenue inspector (kanungo) suspended in connection with the August 31 illegal firecracker factory blast in Kaushambi.The suspended officials include those currently posted in the area and those who had earlier served in Mahmadpur and Chilla Shahbaji. The action followed a report by the Chail tehsil administration.District magistrate Amit Pal Sharma also recommended action against two fire department officials and sought action against Sanjay Kumar, a former assistant consolidation officer and officiating naib tehsildar.