Budaun (Uttar Pradesh): Three security guards posted at a sealed mentha oil factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Budaun district died under mysterious circumstances on Tuesday, with police initially attributing the deaths to suspected asphyxiation caused by a coal brazier kept in a closed room. However, the incident quickly took a dramatic turn after the families of the deceased alleged foul play, claiming the men were assaulted and murdered, and staged a protest demanding a thorough investigation.

According to police officials, two of the guards were found dead inside the factory premises early Tuesday morning, while the third was discovered in a critical condition. He was rushed to the government medical college in Budaun, where he later succumbed during treatment. The deaths occurred at a mentha oil factory located on the Delhi highway in Kooda Narsinghpur village, under the jurisdiction of the Ujhani Kotwali police station.

The police said preliminary findings suggest that the guards had lit a coal brazier inside a room to keep warm during the night and then shut the door before going to sleep. The resulting lack of ventilation allegedly caused suffocation due to carbon monoxide buildup, leading to the deaths. However, the families of the deceased have strongly contested this version, alleging that the guards were beaten and killed, and insisting that no brazier was present in the room.

The deceased were identified as Joginder, Bhanu and Vivek, all of whom were working as security guards at the factory. Police said Joginder was deployed on behalf of Bank of Baroda, which had extended a loan to the factory, while the others were reportedly employed by the factory management. Their sudden deaths have raised serious questions about safety conditions, possible illegal activity at the site, and whether the factory was functioning despite being officially sealed.

As news of the deaths spread, family members and local residents gathered outside the factory and staged a protest, accusing the factory owner and management of being involved in the deaths. Protesters alleged that the bodies bore injury marks and claimed the official explanation of accidental suffocation was an attempt to cover up a crime.

“There was no coal brazier in the room,” family members alleged during the protest. “Our relatives were assaulted and murdered. We want justice and a proper investigation.” The protesters demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and a forensic probe to establish the true cause of death.

Senior police officials rushed to the spot to control the situation and pacify the grieving families. Superintendent of Police Vijendra Kumar assured them that the matter would be investigated thoroughly and transparently. He said a case is being registered against the factory owner based on the complaint submitted by the families of the deceased.

“We have taken the allegations seriously,” SP Kumar said. “A case is being registered, and all aspects of the incident will be examined. The postmortem reports will play a crucial role in determining the exact cause of death.”

Deputy Superintendent of Police Devendra Kumar said that, at first glance, there were no visible injury marks on the bodies, but added that this did not rule out other possibilities. “Prima facie, no external injury marks were found,” he said. “However, this is only a preliminary assessment. The investigation is ongoing, and the final conclusions will depend on postmortem and forensic findings.”

Police officials said the bodies have been sent for postmortem examination to ascertain whether the deaths were caused by asphyxiation or if there were signs of assault or poisoning. Viscera samples have also been preserved for further analysis, they added.

The incident has also drawn attention to the status of the factory itself. According to police, the mentha oil factory had been sealed following a major fire last year that caused losses worth several crores of rupees. Despite the sealing order, there are allegations that work was continuing inside the premises, raising concerns about regulatory lapses and possible illegal operations.

“The factory was sealed after a major fire incident,” a police official said. “However, we have received information suggesting that some activities may still have been going on inside. This aspect is also under investigation.”

If confirmed, the continuation of operations inside a sealed industrial unit could point to serious violations and raise questions about the role of the factory management, as well as possible negligence or complicity by local authorities.

Experts note that deaths caused by coal braziers are not uncommon during winter months, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Burning coal releases carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas that can cause suffocation and death when inhaled in enclosed areas. In many such cases, victims lose consciousness without realising the danger. However, the presence or absence of a brazier, as alleged by the families, will be a key factor in determining whether the incident was accidental or criminal.

The families’ allegations of assault have added a layer of complexity to the case. They claim to have noticed marks on the bodies that, according to them, indicate violence. Police have not confirmed these claims so far but have said that the postmortem reports will clarify whether there were any internal injuries or signs of struggle.

Local residents also expressed concern over the incident, saying the factory has been a source of controversy since the fire last year. Some alleged that the presence of guards at a sealed unit itself raises questions about what was happening inside the premises.

“The factory was supposed to be shut,” said a local villager. “Why were guards still being posted there? What were they guarding? These questions need answers.”

The deaths have once again highlighted the risks faced by security guards, many of whom work long night shifts in unsafe conditions, often without proper facilities or safety measures. Labour activists say such workers are particularly vulnerable, especially when posted at industrial sites with unclear legal or operational status.

As the investigation continues, police have said they will examine CCTV footage from the factory, question the owner and management, and record statements from other employees and nearby residents. They have also assured the families that no one responsible will be spared if evidence of foul play emerges.

For now, the district administration and police are waiting for the postmortem findings, which are expected to provide critical clarity in the case. The results will determine whether the deaths were a tragic accident caused by negligence and unsafe conditions, or a criminal act as alleged by the families.

Until then, tension remains high in Kooda Narsinghpur village, with grieving families demanding justice and accountability for the deaths of Joginder, Bhanu and Vivek. The case has cast a spotlight not only on the immediate circumstances of the incident but also on broader issues of industrial safety, enforcement of sealing orders, and the protection of low-paid workers entrusted with guarding hazardous or abandoned facilities.