1 week ago
Hotel Owners Consider Legal Challenge After Kolkata Shutdowns
A fire at Shikha Inn killed nine people on Tuesday.
After that, officials began checking hotels across Kolkata for safety and permission problems.
Some hotels were ordered to close immediately.
Hotel owners say they should get time to fix missing documents or other issues.
They are considering asking a court to review the shutdowns.
They also discussed closing all hotels in protest.
Police arrested Shikha Inn owner Bireswar Mitra, who had been wanted since the fire.
Officials say hotels must be legally approved for hotel use and must meet fire and electrical-safety rules.
Small and budget hotel owners are considering legal action against closure notices issued after a citywide fire-safety audit.
The owners’ association discussed shutting all hotels in protest and asked authorities to allow time to correct paperwork and other violations.
Police arrested Shikha Inn owner Bireswar Mitra over a fire that killed nine people on Tuesday.
Mitra’s tenant, Abu Zafar, had already been arrested on culpable-homicide charges linked to the fire.
Sixteen inspection teams are checking hotel permissions, fire certificates, approved building plans and electrical-load compliance across Kolkata.
- Who
- Small and budget hotel owners, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, inspection teams, and police; Shikha Inn owner Bireswar Mitra was also arrested.
- What
- Hotel owners are considering legal action and protest closures after several hotels received closure notices during a safety and compliance audit.
- Where
- Kolkata, particularly the Marquis Street and Free School Street areas; Mitra was arrested at his residence on Diamond Harbour Road in Behala.
- When
- The owners’ meeting and Mitra’s arrest occurred on Saturday; the Shikha Inn fire occurred on Tuesday.
- Why
- The inspections followed the Shikha Inn fire and are examining alleged violations involving building use, fire clearances, approved plans and electrical loads.
Hotel Owners’ Position
Authorities’ Position
Time to correct violations
Hotel Owners’ Position
Owners want authorities to hear them out and provide time to produce missing papers or rectify lapses before ordering closures.
Authorities’ Position
Officials are issuing closure notices where hotels allegedly violate building-use, permission or safety rules.
Immediate closures
Hotel Owners’ Position
Owners say instant shutdowns embarrass them, force guests to leave and create difficulties for people in Kolkata for medical treatment.
Authorities’ Position
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation is conducting inspections after a fatal hotel fire and says operating a hotel in a building approved only for residential use is illegal.
Possible protest
Hotel Owners’ Position
The association discussed shutting all hotels until each one received the required clearances and said it would seek legal advice.
Authorities’ Position
Authorities have not indicated that the inspection campaign will be suspended; teams continue checking hotels across the city.
Key facts
- Fire deaths
- Nine people were killed in the Shikha Inn fire on Tuesday.
- Arrested owner
- Bireswar Mitra was arrested on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and gross negligence.
- Other accused
- Abu Zafar, who leased Shikha Inn, was arrested on culpable-homicide charges.
- Represented hotels
- The Calcutta Hotels, Guest Houses and Restaurant Owners’ Association represents about 350 small and budget hotels.
- Inspection teams
- Sixteen teams, one for each of Kolkata’s 16 boroughs, are inspecting hotels and places of assembly.
- Inspection criteria
- Teams are checking approved building plans, fire-safety certificates and whether electrical appliances stay within the load approved by CESC.
- Reported conversion issue
- The Kolkata Municipal Corporation said Hotel The Crystal had permission to operate as a residential building but had been converted into a hotel.
Quotes
Rajiv Sethi
General secretary of the Calcutta Hotels, Guest Houses and Restaurant Owners’ Association
“We will seek legal opinion on our next steps. We urge the authorities to give us some time and hear us out. They are coming and instantly ordering the closure of hotels.”
telegraphindia.com
Anonymous hotel owner
Hotel owner who spoke anonymously about the effects of closure orders
“The inspection teams are visiting hotels and ordering their instant closure. Many hotels have guests who are being forced out because of the closure. Think about the plight of boarders who are going from one place to another in search of rooms. Many of them are in Calcutta for treatment, and there are patients among them.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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