Aliganj police filed a nearly 500-page chargesheet against four accused in connection

Fire broke out in a building in Sector D of Aliganj on the afternoon of June 22, killing 15 people (Photo credit: Manoj Chhabra)

LUCKNOW: Aliganj police filed a nearly 500-page chargesheet against four accused in connection with the June 22 Aliganj fire that claimed 15 lives, completing the investigation 87 days after the deadly incident. The chargesheet was filed under the charges of BNS sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 125 (penalises rash act endangering human life) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 6 and 10 of the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service Act. Following the incident, an FIR was registered at Aliganj police station against the accused under the charges of BNS sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 125 (penalises rash act endangering human life) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 6 and 10 of the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service Act. On July 19, Lucknow Sessions Court has ordered police to investigate role of officials of Lucknow Municipal Corporation, Lucknow Development Authority, fire and emergency services and any other public authority if evidence points to negligence or failure in discharging their statutory duties.

The building lacked adequate fire-safety arrangements and safety norms were allegedly ignored, according to the investigation cited by police. Police said teams have been conducting searches at possible locations to apprehend him. Police arrested the four accused on the day of the incident. Surendra, however, could not be traced and has remained on the run since the case was registered.

The state government subsequently ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by additional chief secretary, tourism and culture department, Amrit Abhijat and additional DG, Lucknow Zone, Praveen Kumar to probe and examine the circumstances surrounding the fire and fix responsibility for the lapses.