Kolkata Police arrests owner of hotel where fire claimed nine lives

The owner of the Kolkata hotel, where a fire killed nine people, including seven Bangladeshi nationals, was arrested from his residence on Saturday, police said.

The accused, identified as Bireswar Mitra, had allegedly fled to Dhanbad in Jharkhand after briefly visiting the site of the disaster late Tuesday night and remained incommunicado for the past few days, the official said.

Mitra, who owns Shikha Inn in the New Market area as well as another hotel named Japon opposite it, was alerted by staff about the fire but did not visit the site, the official said.

Police trace owner to Dhanbad

According to police, Mitra fled Kolkata in his car and took shelter in Dhanbad, where some of his employees have residences.

He returned to his residence on Diamond Harbour Road in Behala on Saturday and was arrested by police, the official said.

Investigators suspect that Mitra may have returned due to cash crunch after two of his bank accounts were frozen following the incident.

Police are questioning him to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his escape and subsequent return.

Fire safety violations under scanner

The hotel allegedly had several rooms with attached bathrooms constructed within an area of around 1,100 square feet, with fire safety norms not being followed.

Police had launched a search for Mitra after the incident and also conducted searches at his two other hotels in Digha and Mandarmani on Friday, but he was not found there.

Investigators learnt that Mitra had spoken to one of the hotel employees over the phone in the early hours of Wednesday, after which his mobile phone was switched off, the official said.

Hotel staff, lessees questioned

Police have also questioned hotel employees and two persons, Umesh Singh and Jiten Singh, who had taken another portion of the same building's fifth floor on lease from Mitra.

Earlier, Abu Zafar, who had taken Shikha Inn on lease from Mitra for a monthly rent of Rs 40,000, was arrested in connection with the case.