New Delhi: A day after a fire in a shoe-manufacturing unit in northwest Delhi’s Mangolpuri Industrial Area Phase-I killed four workers, two persons, one of the co-owners and a supervisor, were arrested from the spot Saturday.
The accused, who have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days, were identified as Suresh Chand (76), a resident of Pitampura who ran the factory with his son, and super visor Ashok (47), a resident of Rohini who also supplied labourers. They have been booked under Section 105 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Police have also invoked sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 125(a) (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 3(5) (common intention) of BNS. A senior police officer said that the fire broke out around 9.30pm Friday and was brought under control in nearly three hours.
Because of the factory’s poor layout, even firefighters faced difficulties. They are probing whether the incident happened due to a short circuit.
Several other shortcomings have also come to light,” a senior police officer said. Eight people were inside when the fire broke out, police said. A senior fire official said the factory did not have a fire NOC.
“There was only one staircase in the building, and it was cluttered with goods, leaving hardly any space for people to move. There were no adequate fire-safety arrangements or ventilation. The police officer added that these conditions pointed to culpability as there was no provision for workers to be rescued in the event of a fire. “The unfortunate incident of a fire breaking out in Mangolpuri, resulting in loss of lives, is extremely heartbreaking and distressing. In this hour of difficulty, my deepest condolences are with the bereaved families,” chief minister Rekha Gupta posted on X. “All relevant agencies are engaged in relief and rescue operations. Instructions have been issued to officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured, all possible assistance and support to the affected families, and swift execution of relief efforts. The entire situation is being continuously monitored,” she added.