Strict action to be taken against those responsible for Lucknow fire tragedy: UP Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna
Lucknow, June 23
Uttar Pradesh Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna on Tuesday said strict action would be taken against those responsible for the Lucknow fire tragedy that claimed the lives of at least 15 people, asserting that the state government would not spare anyone found guilty, irrespective of their position.
Speaking to ANI, Khanna expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had already issued directions for an inquiry into the incident.
He said, "This is a deeply distressing incident. We stand with the bereaved families. Our sympathies are with them, and we pray to God to grant them the strength to bear this sorrow. I assure the entire state and the country that under Yogi ji's government, we will deliver on our promises. "
He added, "Strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty, regardless of their position. The Chief Minister has already issued directives to take action against those responsible. An FIR will be lodged, an investigation will be conducted, and action will follow...All fifteen victims lost their lives solely because of the smoke. "
Meanwhile, the Lucknow Police have sealed the building in the Aliganj Police Station area where a massive fire claimed at least 15 lives, and entry of the general public has also been prohibited as forensic and fire department teams prepare to collect evidence from the site.
A heavy police deployment remained in place at the spot late into the night to secure the premises and assist in the ongoing investigation into the incident.
Police have also registered an FIR in connection with the incident at Aliganj Police Station under Sections 110, 105, 125 and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 6 and 10 of the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service Act, against six accused persons and other responsible individuals.
Police said that three accused, Ramkrishna Upadhyay, Virendra Shukla and Tushank Krishna Jaiswal have been arrested in connection with the case. The accused were taken to the police station after undergoing medical examination, officials said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm from Lucknow and this news has shaken our whole community. The Aliganj area is usually very safe. The way people talk about Yogi ji's government, I do believe they'll take action. But we need to go beyond just arrests - we need fire audits for all commercial buildings in UP. My cousin works in a similar building and I'm worried now. Condolences to the bereaved families. 😢
As someone who lived in India for 10 years, these tragedies always hit hard. The statement from Minister Khanna sounds genuine and I hope the investigation is thorough. It's good that they've already arrested three people. But let's be honest - building safety is a systemic issue in India. We need better infrastructure and enforcement, not just reactive measures. Hopefully this will be a wake-up call for other states too.
While I trust the UP government's commitment to justice, I can't help but feel frustrated. How many more tragedies do we need before real action is taken? The FIR includes sections about fire safety violations and yet these buildings keep operating illegally. I've seen similar buildings in Noida and Gurugram where fire exits are blocked for extra space. Strict action must be taken but with genuine transparency. Nothing less for the 15 lives lost. 🔥
I really appreciate how quickly the CM has directed an inquiry. In our country, accountability is often missing in such cases. But I'm a bit skeptical about how far this will go. The accused have been arrested, but what about the building owner? What about the municipal corporation that approved the building? We need CCTV footage, building plan inspection, and a detailed report. Hope the minister's promise of 'action regardless of position' holds true.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.