Investigations into the devastating hotel fire that broke out on Monday morning in Tarapith, located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, have intensified significantly. The total death toll resulting from this tragic blaze has now climbed to nine. Following the incident, Tapas Paul, the primary owner of the hotel named Bideshini, has been on the run, prompting local law enforcement to launch a massive manhunt on Tuesday to track him down. Police had already apprehended the owner's son and co-owner of the property, Kalyan Paul, earlier. He is scheduled to be produced before the Birbhum District Court on Tuesday, where public prosecutors will seek his police custody to facilitate further interrogation into the tragedy.
Accusations of Misleading Investigators and the Exit Door Dispute
Kalyan Paul faces major accusations that he attempted to mislead investigators immediately after the disaster on Monday morning regarding the actual cause behind the fatalities. Kalyan had previously claimed that panic caused the hotel guests to fail in locating the rear emergency exit, forcing them to rush toward the reception area where many ultimately fell victim to the flames. In stark contrast, several survivors and hotel residents countered this claim by stating that the rear exit gate was firmly locked shut, leaving trapped occupants with no alternative but to flee in the direction of the reception.
Victims Include a Family from Meghalaya and Hospitalized Injured
By the evening of August 17, authorities had confirmed eight fatalities resulting from the fire incident. This grim toll included five members of a single family hailing from Meghalaya who had traveled to Tarapith to offer prayers at the renowned Maa Tara Temple. Additionally, Rajesh Sharma, a resident of Dhupguri in the Jalpaiguri district, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing medical treatment at the Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital. The Birbhum district police registered a suo motu case in connection with the incident. According to a district police official, a dedicated forensic team has gathered crucial samples from the hotel premises to evaluate the overall safety infrastructure.
Following this catastrophe, authorities have announced that electrical and fire safety installations across all other hotels and residential establishments in Tarapith will undergo rigorous inspections. This upcoming safety audit will thoroughly check electrical wiring, distribution boards, meters, earthing, sanctioned electrical loads, fire extinguishers, hydrants, water pumps, storage tanks, hose reels, fire alarms, emergency lighting, and smoke detection mechanisms. Officials will also inspect exit pathways, staircases, and evacuation routes designated for guest safety during emergencies, alongside verifying whether these establishments hold all mandatory fire safety clearances and statutory approvals.
