The fire broke out at the hotel in New Market on August 19. Nine people died, including eight guests and one hotel employee. Several of the dead were Bangladeshi nationals. Sixteen others were injured and taken to SSKM Hospital.
Chargesheet Imminent | Kolkata Police’s SIT may submit a charge sheet next week for the Aug 19 Shikha Inn hotel fire that killed nine, including Bangladeshi nationals Because of old and damaged wiring, the flames spread quickly. Forensic reports have confirmed that the fire started from an electrical plug board on the third floor of the five-storey building on Mirza Ghalib Street.
Police said flammable interior decoration inside the hotel helped the fire spread faster and created thick toxic smoke, which filled five rooms. Police said electrical maintenance was handled by an unlicensed local mechanic, leaving the wiring old and unsafe. After the fire, New Market police started a case on their own. The deputy commissioner of police, detective department, then formed a six-member SIT with Lalbazar detectives. Police are likely to charge the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death by negligence and under state fire safety laws. The hotel had a basic trade licence, but did not have the required civic or fire department permits. It also did not have basic firefighting equipment. Police also searched Ray’s second hotel opposite Shikha Inn but did not find any fire licence. Searches at his home and at his properties in Digha and Mandarmani also did not produce any fire safety documents. Police have informed the East Midnapore superintendent of police and contacted the local fire department there.
Kolkata: The Kolkata Police Special Investigation Team is likely to file its charge sheet next week in the Shikha Inn hotel fire case.