Leaseholder arrested after Kolkata hotel fire kills five Bangladesh nationals

Police arrested the leaseholder of a central Kolkata hotel after a fire killed nine people, including five Bangladeshi nationals, authorities said.

Abu Zafar, leaseholder of Shikha Inn, was arrested late Wednesday after being picked up from Entally Main Market. Police also detained two hotel staff members for questioning. Owner Bireshwar Mitra remains missing.

A five-member Special Investigation Team was formed to investigate the blaze, and police opened a case involving culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligent acts endangering life, and alleged fire-safety violations.

Fire officials ordered occupants to leave 15G Mirza Ghalib Street within an hour and directed police to seal the building, citing “imminent danger to persons and property.”

The fire began around 2:07 a.m. Wednesday. Two Indian citizens also died, while two victims remain unidentified.