New Delhi: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken regulatory action against seven online platforms for listing, advertising and facilitating the sale of regulated explosive substances, including ammonium nitrate, gunpowder, picric acid and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN).
Following the intervention, a total of 3,940 seller listings and entries were delisted from the platforms, according to the Union government. The action aims to strengthen public safety, consumer protection and compliance with laws governing hazardous substances.
The platforms covered by the action are IndiaMART, TradeIndia, Dial4Trade, Justdial, Sigma-Aldrich India, ExportersIndia and Ibuychemikals. The CCPA initiated proceedings under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, read with the Explosives Act, 1884, the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012, and other applicable regulations.
The authority said the lawful sale and purchase of these substances require prescribed licences. Online platforms are expected to disclose valid licences issued by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and verify the identity and licensed status of buyers before facilitating transactions.
IndiaMART accounted for 3,092 seller entries, including listings related to ammonium nitrate, gunpowder/PETN and picric acid. ExportersIndia accounted for 421 entries, while TradeIndia reported 166 sellers associated with 210 listing entries. Justdial accounted for 206 entries and Dial4Trade for 11. Sigma-Aldrich and Ibuychemikals sell their own products on their platforms and do not host third-party sellers, the government said.
The CCPA has passed final orders imposing a ₹10 lakh penalty on Dial4Trade Technologies Private Limited for facilitating the sale of ammonium nitrate. The company was also directed to discontinue listings and facilitation of sales of ammonium nitrate and other explosive substances. Its appeal before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) was dismissed on October 9, 2026.
ExportersIndia operator Weblink.In Private Limited has been fined ₹10 lakh in one case involving ammonium nitrate and PETN, and another ₹10 lakh in a separate case involving picric acid. The company has filed appeals before the NCDRC, which are expected to be listed for hearing.
Proceedings involving IndiaMART and Justdial are at different stages. The CCPA has received replies from both companies following investigations. IndiaMART has challenged the show-cause notices before the Delhi High Court. A final hearing in the Justdial matter was scheduled for October 23, 2026, according to the government release.
Investigations are also underway into Sigma-Aldrich Chemicals Private Limited over listings involving ammonium nitrate, PETN and picric acid; TradeIndia over picric acid and PETN; and Ibuychemikals over picric acid.
The CCPA said the action was intended to prevent digital marketplaces from facilitating unauthorised access to regulated and hazardous substances. Consumers can report instances of explosive substances being offered for sale online through the National Consumer Helpline at 1915.
