Fire: Karol Bagh hotel owner arrested

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 17

The police arrested Rakesh Goel, the owner of hotel Arpit Palace in Karol Bagh, in connection with a massive fire which killed 17 people on its premises on Tuesday, a police official said.

The Crime Branch made the arrest from the IGI Airport on Saturday after the police received a tip off that Goel was travelling from  Qatar by Indigo flight said DCP (Crime) Rajesh Deo.

The immigration officials were alerted as a look out circular was issued against him. On his arrival, he was detained and handed over to the Crime Branch. Goel was arrested after brief questioning, the DCP said.

Besides Goel, two persons — hotel general manager Rajendra Kumar (47) and assistant manager Vikas Kumar (21) — have already been arrested.

A look out circular has also been issued against the owner’s elder brother, Shardendu Goel, who is still absconding. It has been found that all licences of the hotel were in Shardendu’s name.

A forensic expert said the fire started in room number 109 “probably due to the air-conditioner switched on by a couple due to lack of ventilation. As it is winter, the AC was probably not serviced and there was a short-circuit, which led to the fire”.

In its FIR, the police mentioned that some of the shortcomings like two kitchens in the basement and terrace, no smoke alarms, no signage directing guests to the emergency exit and obstruction on the way to the exit.

14 more hotels to be shut

Fire safety certificates of another 14 establishments have been suspended by the Delhi government after violations were found during inspections as a part of the ongoing drive against errant hotels in the city.

With this, the total number of hotels (hotels/ guesthouses) whose closure has been initiated during the past four days for flouting norms stands at 71.

Home Minister Satyender Jain said the government will not compromise with the safety of human lives.