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Kolkata hotel fire and safety inspections

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-24 08:26 UTC → 2026-08-24 09:34 UTC · added removed

A fatal fire at the Hotel Shikha Inn on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata resulted in nine deaths, including seven several Bangladeshi citizens. Following the incident, five of Among the deceased, including deceased were journalist Debashish Dutta Dutta, his wife Afsana Sharmin, their child, and his family, father-in-law, Md Akram Ali. Following the tragedy, the bodies of the Bangladeshi victims were repatriated to Bangladesh via Kushtia, Bangladesh, for final rites. In response, the Benapole-Petrapole border local administration in Kushtia provided 100,000 BDT in financial assistance to the presence of Border Guard Bangladesh and Indian Border Security Force officials. bereaved families. In response to the tragedy, wake of the incident, West Bengal authorities have initiated widespread inspections of hospitality establishments. Twenty-five hotels, inns, and restaurants Following the initial showcausing of twenty-five establishments in the Free School Street-Marquis Street area area, Kolkata authorities have been showcaused for failing expanded inspections to implement adequate the New Market area, issuing closure notices to buildings lacking proper fire safety measures. licenses. West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul previously stated that establishments found in violation will would be sealed immediately, providing guests 24 hours to vacate. The state fire services department is also expanding scrutiny This regulatory crackdown has reportedly caused a shortage of accommodation for Bangladeshi tourists, many of whom travel to high-traffic areas near Sealdah and Howrah stations, as well as India for medical treatment. Reports indicate that some hotels are exploiting the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. scarcity by charging double or triple the standard rates. Investigations into the hotel fire have led to the arrest of the hotel owner, Birेश्वर Mitra, by a Special Investigation Team after he was located at and his residence in Behala, South Kolkata. He had reportedly fled to Dhanbad, Jharkhand, following the incident. His lessee, Abu Zafar, was also previously taken into custody. Zafar. Investigators allege the tragedy was exacerbated by unauthorized construction and a failure to adhere to basic fire safety regulations. Among the repatriated victims were four members of a single family from Kushtia—journalist Debashis Dutta, his wife Afsana Sharmin, their three-year-old child Swornoshish Dutta, and Afsana’s father Md Akram Ali—alongside businessman Babu Ahmed. One victim, Rebati Sarker, was cremated in Kolkata per the wishes of relatives in India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of life, while the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed its Deputy High Commission in Kolkata is assisting the affected families. life.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-24 09:34 UTC Kolkata hotel fire and safety inspections
  2. 2026-08-24 08:26 UTC Kolkata hotel fire and safety inspections
  3. 2026-08-22 18:22 UTC Kolkata hotel fire and safety inspections
  4. 2026-08-22 16:05 UTC Kolkata hotel fire and safety inspections

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