Kolkata, 19 August (H.S.): A five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the devastating fire at the Shikha Inn hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata's Dharmatala area. The SIT will be headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detective Department).

Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kunal Agarwal said on Wednesday that along with the formation of the SIT, the Fire and Emergency Services Department has also registered a case taking suo motu cognisance of the incident.

The fire broke out at the hotel late Tuesday night. The establishment is located close to the headquarters of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. According to local residents, several small hotels were operating on each of the five floors of the building. The premises were reportedly congested, with narrow passages and limited space for movement.

Investigators are also examining whether adequate fire-fighting and safety arrangements were in place at the hotel.

According to the police, the probe will cover all aspects of the incident, including the cause of the fire, the deaths and the possibility of any criminal activity. The Intelligence Department has also been involved in the investigation.

Police sources said three to four Bangladeshi passports were reportedly recovered from the site. The documents are being examined as part of the investigation.

Questions have also been raised over the hotel's fire safety arrangements and administrative oversight. The hotel reportedly accommodated visitors from other states as well as foreign nationals. Investigators are therefore examining its licences, compliance with safety norms and whether regular administrative inspections were carried out.

Meanwhile, Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul visited the site on Wednesday morning. She alleged that the hotel was operating around 10 air conditioners despite having permission for only one. She also questioned how the electricity distribution company CESC had provided the power connection.

Paul said investigators would also verify whether the hotel had valid fire safety and trade licences.

She further questioned the role of former Kolkata mayor and former Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, saying that responsibility would be fixed after the investigation and that a report would be submitted to the Chief Minister.

Hakim, however, hit back at the allegations, saying that verification of a hotel's fire safety licence and fire safety audit falls under the responsibility of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. He said it was not practically possible for a mayor to personally verify the trade licences of every hotel.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh