Police raids Howrah flat in search of hotel owners in Burrabazar fire case

Kolkata Police conducted a raid on a flat in Howrah on Wednesday as part of their ongoing investigation into the Burrabazar fire. The police are searching for two hotel owners, Akash and Atul Chawla, who are believed to be involved in the incident. The brothers are residents of Suburban Park Road in Howrah’s Golabari area and are currently being sought for questioning. Despite the police's efforts, the Chawla brothers were not found at the flat during the raid.

According to police sources, the Chawla brothers have not been in contact since the fire occurred. Their uncle, BS Chawla, confirmed that the brothers had moved out of the residence a year ago. Efforts are being made to reach the brothers, and the family members have expressed a desire for them to surrender at the police station. The police are continuing their search and investigation into their whereabouts.

The fire, which broke out on the second floor of the Chawla brothers' hotel, is believed to have been caused by ongoing plywood work. The fire quickly spread, and thick smoke began rising to the upper floors, trapping people who could not escape. While there was no central air conditioning system, concerns have been raised about the sealed windows that prevented smoke from escaping. The fire department has filed a complaint against the hotel’s management for alleged negligence in fire safety. An 11-member police team, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police’s Central Division, is handling the investigation.