Two sent to two-day police custody for fire tragedy

A Delhi Court on Wednesday allowed police to quiz for two days the General Manger and Manager of Hotel Arpit Palace here where a fire tragedy killed at least 17 people.

Metropolitan Magistrate Shilpi Jain allowed Delhi Police to question General Manager Rajender Kumar and Manager Vikas Kumar Takkal till Friday.

At least 17 people were killed when a major fire engulfed the hotel in the commercial-cum-residential district of Karol Bagh before dawn on Tuesday.

The court noted that the tragedy took place due to non-compliance of various norms of the Delhi Fire Service.

Police told the court that the hotel ran an illegal kitchen on the roof top and in the basement without permission.

The police said the accused were needed to be in custody to recover the guest register and to inquire about the sequence of the incident.

The court has sought a report from the police of the area asking it to mention the steps taken by them to prevent similar incidents in hotels.

Police have registered a case against the hotel owner Subhendu Goyal, who is absconding. He has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder among others.

--IANS

akk/mr