UP Govt Suspends Four Officials, Arrests Four Over Lucknow Fire Tragedy

Lucknow, Jun 23: The Uttar Pradesh government has suspended four officials and arrested four accused in connection with the devastating fire at an animation coaching centre in Lucknow that claimed the lives of 15 students.

Police have registered an FIR against six named accused and other responsible persons under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service Act. The four suspended officials belong to the Lucknow Development Authority, Fire Department and Electricity Department, with action taken on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The state government has also ordered a high-level probe into the incident and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has been asked to submit its report within seven days. The SIT comprises Additional Chief Secretary (Charitable Works, Tourism and Culture) Amrit Abhijat and Additional Director General of Police, Lucknow Zone, Praveen Kumar.

The fire broke out on Monday afternoon at an animation coaching centre operating above a shop in the Puraniya area of Aliganj, triggering panic among students. At least 15 people, mostly students aged between 16 and 25 years, lost their lives, while nine others sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment at King George’s Medical University, Lucknow. Officials said most of the victims died due to suffocation. (Agencies)