Cops arrest Rituraj hotel's owner, manager over Burrabazar fire incident that killed 15

The owner and manager of Rituraj Hotel in Kolkata were arrested on Thursday following a deadly fire that killed 15 people in the hotel’s Burrabazar location. The fire broke out on Tuesday night at approximately 8:10 PM, trapping guests inside the six-story building. Authorities confirmed that most of the victims were unable to escape due to thick smoke, with several reportedly jumping from upper floors to flee the flames. Among the dead were 11 men, a woman, and two children, including a 3-year-old, from various states including Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Jharkhand.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, but initial reports suggest several safety violations within the hotel. Fire safety measures at the property were found to be insufficient. Fire alarms and sprinklers were not functioning, and the building’s fire safety clearance had expired in 2022. A senior fire official revealed that the hotel’s only staircase had been blocked due to illegal construction on the same floor, which severely hampered evacuation efforts. Additionally, ventilation points were sealed, complicating the rescue operation further.

A suo motu case was registered under several sections of the BNS, including Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and the West Bengal Fire Services Act. The police have identified Akash Chawla, the owner, and Gourav Kapoor, the manager, as the individuals responsible for the hotel. Both were arrested by the police after the fire's aftermath revealed serious lapses in fire safety protocols. Authorities are continuing efforts to identify the remaining two bodies, with 12 of the 15 victims already identified and their post-mortem exams completed.

The tragedy has raised concerns about the safety standards in budget hotels in crowded areas like Burrabazar, where building codes and fire regulations are often ignored. Local authorities have vowed to increase inspections of such establishments. In response to the fire, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, offering an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh to each deceased’s family and ₹50,000 to the injured. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted, and rescue operations were closely monitored throughout the night.