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The police administration and the investigating agency have completed major legal action in the much-discussed and heart-wrenching Aliganj fire incident in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. After months of intensive forensic investigation, collection of eyewitness statements and technical evidence, the investigating officer has filed a detailed charge sheet of more than 500 pages in the competent court. In this charge sheet, four main accused have been named under serious sections of disregarding safety standards, criminal negligence and culpable homicide.
Along with this, the clampdown has been tightened against the main conspirator and absconding accused Surendra, who has been continuously escaping from the police since the incident. Police Commissionerate Lucknow has increased the reward amount announced on absconding Surendra to Rs 1 lakh, which has created a stir in the criminal and administrative circles of the capital.
This charge sheet of more than 500 pages presented in the court is not just a formal document, but it contains a point-by-point analysis of every technical and human aspect related to the fire. The report of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), technical inspection report of Fire Department, load analysis of Electricity Department and samples of burnt wires and equipment recovered from the spot have been made the main basis of this charge sheet.
The police have clarified in their charge sheet that the basic rules of fire safety were openly flouted in the premises. Neither was there a valid Fire NOC present nor were any adequate arrangements made for an emergency exit. There was illegal storage of inflammable material in the basement and narrow paths, due to which the fire took a huge form within a few minutes and the people inside did not even get a chance to get out.
The investigation team has named four main people responsible for the owners, managers and operations of the complex in its charge sheet. These accused have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, gross negligence endangering life, illegal construction and endangering public safety under relevant sections of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS).
It is clear from the statements of the eyewitnesses recorded in the charge sheet that if the alarm had been raised in the initial moments of the fire or the fire extinguishers had been in working condition, this horrific tragedy could have been avoided. The investigation also revealed that the electrical load in the building was being drawn illegally, many times more than the prescribed limit, due to which a short circuit in the main panel board gave rise to the massive flames.
Surendra, the main strategist and accused of this entire fire incident, has been underground since the day of the incident. The police raided his possible hideouts in Lucknow, Sitapur, Hardoi, Barabanki, Kanpur and areas bordering Nepal, but he is dodging the police by repeatedly changing his whereabouts and mobile number.
In view of the continuous absconding of the accused, the Lucknow Police Commissioner has approved the recommendation to increase the reward amount announced on him to Rs 1 lakh with immediate effect. Along with this, four special joint teams of Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Lucknow Crime Branch have been fielded to search for the accused. Along with issuing a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against the accused from the court, the police has also started the legal process of attachment of his properties (Section 82/83).
Aliganj area of the capital Lucknow is not only a big residential centre, but this area adjacent to Kapurthala, Aliganj main intersection and Purnia is also a huge commercial centre. After the filing of the 500-page charge sheet in the Aliganj fire incident, surveillance has been increased on the establishments running in basements and multi-storey buildings of other major business areas of Lucknow – like Hazratganj, Aminabad, Indira Nagar, Gomti Nagar and Alambagh.
Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), Municipal Corporation and Fire Department have jointly intensified the operation across the city. A list is being prepared of all those commercial buildings, coaching centres, private hospitals and shopping complexes which are operating without fire exits, without ventilation and without valid fire fighting systems. This strict police action in Aliganj has created an atmosphere of fear among the careless building owners of the city who were promoting commercial activities by keeping safety standards in mind.
After the filing of the charge sheet, the families of the victims and the injured who lost their loved ones in this horrific fire have heaved a sigh of relief, but they say that real justice will be achieved only when all the culprits are given the strictest punishment under the law. The victim’s families have appealed to the state government and the judiciary that the entire case should be heard in the Fast Track Court on a daily basis.
Local civil organizations and advocates say that until the absconding Surendra is arrested and the named accused are not given strict punishment, no strong message will be sent to such careless operators in future. Police officials have assured that a Special Public Prosecutor (Special PP) is being appointed for strong advocacy in the court so that the accused do not get the benefit of any technical loophole.