Lucknow (UP): Four accused persons—Ram Krishna Upadhyay, Virendra Prasad Shukla, Tushak Krishna Jaiswal, and Suresh Kumar Sahoo—have been arrested in connection with the fire tragedy in Lucknow, in which at least 15 people were killed and several others were injured.
Four officials have also been suspended, including officials from the electricity department, fire department and Lucknow Development Authority.
SIT begins probe
Following the incident, a high-level meeting was held at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s residence, where he ordered the formation of a two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism, Religious Affairs and Culture) Amrit Abhijat and Additional Director General of Police, Lucknow Zone, Praveen Kumar.
The SIT has been asked to submit its report within seven days.
The two-member SIT reached the spot on Tuesday, June 23, morning and began its investigation into the incident. “We have come here and will investigate all aspects of the incident. We will complete the probe within the stipulated time and ensure necessary action,” ADG Kumar told reporters at the site.
Before the SIT team arrived, a six-member team of forensic laboratory experts had reached the spot in the morning and started examining the scene.
The investigation is aimed at ascertaining the cause of the fire, possible lapses and responsibility in connection with the blaze that broke out in the three-storey commercial building on Usha Mehta Marg in Sector D of Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday.
In the wake of the fire tragedy, the CM on Tuesday, cancelled almost all his scheduled programmes, including visits to Hathras and Agra.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh also announced the suspension of all its organisational programmes scheduled for Tuesday, expressing condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident.
LDA issues demolition notice
Meanwhile, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has issued a demolition notice for the Aliganj building, officials said.
Authorities have also launched a crackdown against its own officials in connection with the illegal operation of the residential building as a commercial space.
The three-storey building was issued a demolition order in 2016 over unauthorised construction but it was revoked less than two months later.
“We have once again issued a demolition notice over (construction) violations for the Aliganj building where the fire incident took place on Monday,” LDA Vice Chairperson Prathamesh Kumar told news agency PTI.
“We have also initiated inquiry against officials for laxity and action will be taken against them,” Kumar said. The process to identify such officials and their role in the negligence has begun.
Lucknow fire tragedy
The fire broke out on the afternoon of Monday, June 22, in the commercial building housing an animation centre and a pet shop in Aliganj’s Sector D area.
Mostly young students who were attending classes at the centre were among the deceased. Many victims were trapped inside as flames and smoke engulfed the building.
A day after the tragedy, a crowd gathered outside the building. Police personnel cordoned off the premises and restricted entry, while some locals and media persons reached near the damaged structure to capture visuals.
Local residents expressed concern over the operation of commercial establishments in the residential area, alleging that several such buildings may not meet fire safety norms.
“This is like a ticking time bomb. If commercial buildings continue to operate in residential areas by ignoring rules, the consequences can be disastrous,” local resident Hemant Srivastava said.
Municipal workers were also seen removing water accumulated in the basement and other parts of the building following firefighting operations.
A six-member team of forensic experts reached the incident site around 9.30 AM on Tuesday. The SIT was also expected to reach the site for inquiry soon.
An ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for those injured has also been announced.
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