The Kolkata Police has arrested the owner and manager of the Ruturaj Hotel in connection with the death of 14 people in the fire on Tuesday. This action includes various sections of BNS against him at the Jorasanko police station, including Section 105 (non -perfect homicide of murder) and West Bengal Fire Services Act. Taking automatic cognizance in this case, the case was done after the case was registered. The owner and manager have been identified as Akash Chawla and Gaurav Kapoor.
What happened at Rituraj Hotel?
A fire broke out in a budget hotel located in the crowded Bada Bazaar area of Central Kolkata, killing 14 people. Most of those who died died because they could not get out of the hotel due to dense smoke. It is reported that many people jumped from the upper floors to save themselves. The dead include 11 men, a woman and two children, including a 3 -year -old child. The deceased were natives of Bihar, Odisha, UP, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand. Officials are trying to find out for what causing the fire. However, a senior fire officer told PTI that several security rules have been violated in the hotel.
A senior fire officer said, “The only ladder was blocked, and the illegal dance bar under construction on the same floor was closed, which led to a huge barrier in the evacuation efforts.” Bengal minister Sujit Bose said that the fire alarm and sprinkler of the hotel were not working. He said, “This is a clear case of negligence. The hotel had no active fire security system.” Director General of Fire Service Ranveer Kumar said that the fire security approval of the hotel ended in 2022. “The FIR has been registered and the hotel owners are absconding,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mourned these deaths. The PMO said on 15 October, “I am saddened by the death of people in a fire accident in Kolkata. Consideration towards those who lost my loved ones. I wish the injured to get well soon. The relatives of each deceased will be given an ex -gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF. The injured will be given Rs 50,000.” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she monitored the rescue operations throughout the night. He said that an inquiry has been ordered.
