Puttingal inferno: Two more temple officials surrender before Crime Branch

Two more officials of the Puttingal temple in Kerala's Kollam district, where a massive inferno charred 109 people to death, surrendered before the Crime Branch on Tuesday morning.

Five officials, including the Puttingal temple's president, secretary and treasurer, had surrendered early this morning.

After the tragedy, the officials had gone off the radar following which fingers were pointed at the temple committee for violating the guidelines.

The temple authorities had gone ahead with a competitive pyrotechnics display despite the denial of permission from the Kollam district administration.

The police had registered a case of attempt to murder against the five officials.

Huge quantity of crackers, which were kept to be burst to mark the conclusion of the Meena-Bharani festival, exploded, killing over 40 persons instantly, maiming many more and causing extensive damage to the nearby buildings.