The police have registered a case against six people, including members of the Puttingal Devi temple managing committee and the contractors responsible for the unauthorised fireworks display that resulted in a massive blaze on Sunday. The police have also detained five people associated with the contractor of the competitive fireworks show for questioning, but did not reveal the identity of any of them, reported PTI. At least 109 people have been confirmed killed and 383 injured in the fire, which broke out early on Sunday in the temple complex.

The accused were charged under Indian Penal Code sections concerning attempt to murder and attempt to commit culpable homicide, along with Section 4 of the Explosives Substances Act (attempt to cause an explosion). "The crime branch has initiated the investigation by collecting evidence from the mishap spot at the temple complex. More persons will be included as accused after collecting documents and evidence," Additional Director General of Police (Crime Branch) S Ananthakrishnan told PTI.

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However, the Travancore Devaswom Board that manages about 1,255 temples in the state said it was not in favour of imposing a blanket ban on fireworks during festivals as they believe it is often part of the rituals. President of TDB, Prayar Gopalakrishnan, said the Board has issued an urgent circular asking all its temples to strictly adhere to government rules and regulations during such displays in the future, reported The Times of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the site of the tragedy on Sunday and asked for a detailed report from the state administration on what caused the massive fire. The Kerala government has ordered a judicial investigation into the incident, which will be presided by a retired High Court judge, along with a probe by the Crime Branch.

According to an official statement from the government, 75 bodies have been identified so far and 84 post-mortems have been conducted, reported PTI. Modi has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the people killed in the fire and Rs 50,000 each for the injured. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy also announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of those killed, and Rs 2 lakh for each of the injured.