Days after Karol Bagh blaze, Delhi Police arrests Hotel Arpit Palace’s owner Rakesh Goel

Days after massive Karol Bagh fire that claimed 17 lives, Delhi Police arrested the owner of Hotel Arpit Palace in early morning hours on Sunday. According to news agency ANI, the Crime Branch team of Delhi Police arrested hotel’s owner Rakesh Goel and would be produced in the court today itself. The latest development was confirmed by DCP Rajesh Deo. The crime branch has launched the probe on February 14. In a first, the Delhi Police also used 3D laser imaging technology to simulate the scene of the incident. The high-tech method allowed the police to zero in on how, why, where and when the blaze started in the four-storey building. Earlier, the Delhi government ordered a magisterial probe and directed the fire department to conduct an inspection of buildings which have five floors or more.

Deo had said that look out circulars were issued against the Goel who was in Doha at the time of incident and against Shardendu Goel, the licensee of the hotel. The mobile phones of the accused were switched off and the family members too were out of reach, the police said.

 

Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested Rakesh Goel, the owner of hotel Arpit Palace. He shall be produced in court today: DCP Rajesh Deo on Karol Bagh hotel fire which killed 17 people

📸: ANI

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The area's civic body too ordered a probe with officials accusing the hotel of violating municipal norms including running a makeshift restaurant on its rooftop. Union minister KJ Alphons who had visited the site of the incident had pointed out that the emergency exit of the hotel was "too narrow" and also locked.

In the wake of this massive fire incident, the fire department has been also directed to inspect buildings which are five floors or more and submit a report on their safety compliance within a week. All hotels will be strictly checked for their safety norms. If fire-fighting equipment not in place, severe action will be taken against the hotel management, fire officials said.

Action will be taken against the hotels depending on the extent of violations. If minor lapses are found, they will be warned and asked to rectify it within a couple of days. If not rectified, action will be taken accordingly, they added.