Lucknow building fire: 3 arrested, SIT hunts for those behind lapses

The arrested accused have been identified as Ramakrishna Upadhyay (from left), Suresh Kumar Sahu, Tushok Krishna Jaiswal and Virendra Prasad Shukla.

LUCKNOW: Police on Monday arrested four persons and registered an FIR against six named accused and other unidentified persons in connection with the devastating Aliganj fire that claimed multiple lives and left several others injured.The arrested accused have been identified as Ramakrishna Upadhyay (43), a resident of Sector D, Aliganj; Virendra Prasad Shukla (62), a resident of Madeyganj on Sitapur Road; Tushok Krishna Jaiswal (31), a resident of Balaganj under Thakurganj police station limits; and Suresh Kumar Sahu (45), a resident of Keshav Nagar.Police said efforts were underway to arrest the remaining two accused who are currently absconding.According to senior police officials, Ramakrishna was the owner of the pet shop-cum-clinic, Tushok was the owner of the office space where game development work was carried out, Suresh had taken the upper portion of the building on rent, while Virendra was the owner of the building where the fire broke out.Police said efforts are continuing to arrest other persons involved in the case.According to police, a case has been registered at Aliganj police station under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 125 (rash act endangering human life) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 6 and 10 of the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service Act.

JCP (Law and Order) Babloo Kumar said the FIR pertains to alleged negligence and violations linked to the fire that swept through a commercial building housing a pet shop, library and gaming studio, resulting in one of the deadliest fire incidents in Lucknow in recent years.“Police are examining the role of building owners, operators and other persons responsible for safety compliance and management of the premises,” he said.Police sources said the probe is focusing on possible violations of fire safety regulations, building norms and occupancy permissions.Officials said further legal proceedings are underway and additional arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses.The case will be examined by the state government's Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has been tasked with submitting its findings within seven days.