Four days after Kolkata hotel fire killed nine, owner arrested

Four days following a deadly fire at the Shikha Inn in central Kolkata, which claimed nine lives, the hotel's owner, Bireshwar Mitra, was apprehended on Saturday from his residence in Behala. Mitra, 46, had gone missing after the fire erupted at the Mirza Ghalib Street location early Wednesday. Police sources reported that Mitra had fled Kolkata in his vehicle and sought refuge in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.

Mitra was arrested from his Behala home on Saturday, where he returned after his disappearance. Police are investigating his sudden return and exploring whether anyone facilitated his evasion from law enforcement. Financial investigations have frozen two of Mitra's bank accounts, impeding his financial transactions. It is believed he may have returned due to a shortage of funds.

Mitra maintains properties in Jharkhand, and police are examining if he sought assistance from his Jharkhand-based tenants. Following the fire, Mitra's hotels in Digha and Mandarmani were raided on Friday, but he was not apprehended. Police stated Mitra spoke to a hotel employee by phone early Wednesday, after which his mobile phone was deactivated.

The suspect will be presented in court on Sunday and is expected to be held for further interrogation. The fire killed nine individuals, including seven Bangladeshi nationals. The investigation has expanded to include others associated with the hotel, such as Abu Zafar, who leased the Shikha Inn for Rs 40,000 per month, and Umesh Singh and Jiten Singh, who leased another section of the building.

Hotel employees have also been questioned. The fire safety violations in central Kolkata prompted the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to issue show-cause notices to 25 hotels, inns, and restaurants in the Free School Street-Marquis Street-New Market area, citing non-compliance with fire safety regulations. Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul, who conducted inspections, warned that establishments with safety deficiencies would face stricter actions.

The notices require guests to vacate the premises, typically within 24 hours, after which the buildings can be sealed. If the documents prove to be in order, the establishments may be reopened upon a subsequent hearing by Divisional Fire Officers.