Karol Bagh fire: Court sends 2 hotel employees to 2-day police custody

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 13

A Delhi court today sent two men, arrested in connection with a massive fire at Karol Bagh, to two-day police custody. 

Metropolitan Magistrate Shilpi Jain allowed the custodial interrogation of general manager of the hotel Rajender Kumar and manager Vikas Kumar Takkal till February 15.

The court directed police to not torture the accused during remand.

"In view of the facts and circumstances and considering that the crucial documents for the purpose of effective investigation are to be collected at the instance of accused, two-day police custody is hereby granted subject to medical examination of the accused after every 24 hours as per the Supreme Court guidelines," the court said.

The fire claimed 17 lives yesterday.

The general manager and the manager were arrested for culpable homicide, a police official said.

The hotel owner, Shardendu Goel, has been absconding since the incident, he said.

Over 200 shanties gutted in fire

A massive fire gutted nearly 200 shanties in Paschim Vihar, but no one was injured in the blaze that occurred early this morning, said a DFS official.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced Rs 25,000 support to each affected family in the area after visiting the spot.

Home Minister Satyendar Jain directed the District Magistrate and officials of the Delhi Shelter Improvement Board to provided blanket and other basic items of necessity to the victims. — TNS