Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Tarapith hotel fire: Nine dead, owner absconding, son arrested
A big fire broke out at a hotel called Bideshini in a town called Tarapith in India.
Sadly, nine people lost their lives in the fire.
Five of those people were from the same family, and they had come to visit a famous temple.
The police are now looking for the main owner of the hotel, whose name is Tapas Paul, because he disappeared after the fire.
The owner's son, Kalyan Paul, has been caught by the police.
The police say Kalyan tried to confuse them about what really happened in the fire.
Some people say they could not find the back door to escape because they were scared.
Other people who were there say the back door was actually closed.
The police have started their own investigation and are also checking the fire safety of other hotels in the area.
They want to make sure this kind of accident does not happen again.
Nine people died in a fire at hotel Bideshini in Tarapith, Birbhum district, West Bengal.
Police launched a manhunt for main hotel owner Tapas Paul, who went absconding after the mishap.
Tapas' son and co-owner Kalyan Paul was arrested and will be presented at a district court in Birbhum.
Kalyan Paul is accused of trying to mislead investigators about the cause of death in the fire.
Five of the victims were from the same Meghalaya family who came to offer Puja at the Goddess Tara temple.
- Who
- Nine people died, including five from a Meghalaya family; police are searching for absconding owner Tapas Paul, while his son and co-owner Kalyan Paul has been arrested.
- What
- A fire at hotel Bideshini killed nine people and triggered a police manhunt and an investigation into the hotel's safety.
- When
- The fire occurred on Monday morning, the death toll rose to nine by Monday night, and police actions continued on Tuesday.
- Where
- Tarapith, Birbhum district, West Bengal, India.
- Why
- The fire caused deaths, and investigators are examining the cause, including the hotel's fire and electrical safety systems.
Hotel Co-owner's Account
Survivors' Account
Back Exit Door
Hotel Co-owner's Account
Kalyan Paul claimed that panic prevented residents from locating the exit door at the back of the hotel, prompting them to rush through the reception area where many were burnt.
Survivors' Account
Several residents claimed that the exit door at the back was closed, which is why some rushed through the reception area to get out of the building.
- Location
- Tarapith, Birbhum district, West Bengal
- Affected Property
- Hotel Bideshini
- Death Toll
- 9
- Family Victims
- 5 from a single family from Meghalaya
- Absconding Accused
- Tapas Paul, main hotel owner
- Arrested Person
- Kalyan Paul, son and co-owner
- Pending Court Appearance
- Birbhum district court; prosecutor will seek police custody
- Case Status
- Suo motu case registered by Birbhum District Police; forensic samples collected