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Lucknow Building Fire: The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has issued a demolition notice for the Aliganj building where a fire claimed 15 lives a day
ago. Notably, the three-storey building was issued a demolition order in 2016 over unauthorised construction but it was revoked less than two months later.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 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.
4 Arrested, 4 Officials Suspended
A massive fire broke out on Monday afternoon in the three-floor commercial building housing an animation centre, killing at least 15 people, mostly students, and injuring nine others. Police said they have arrested four accused persons -- Ram Krishna Upadhyay, Virendra Prasad Shukla, Tushak Krishna Jaiswal and Suresh Kumar Sahoo in connection with the incident.
Authorities have also launched a crackdown against its own officials in connection with the illegal operation of the residential building as a commercial space. Four officials have been suspended, including officials from the electricity department, fire department and Lucknow Development Authority.
Lucknow Building Fire Claims 15 Lives: SIT Begins Probe
The two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has begun the probe into the incident. They reached the spot on Tuesday morning and began its investigation into the incident. The SIT, formed on the directions of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, comprises Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism) Amrit Abhijat and Additional Director General of Police, Lucknow Zone, Praveen Kumar.
"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," Praveen 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.
