Noida: Days after two persons died as a spark in an EV charging point triggered a massive fire at a five-storey paying guest (PG) accommodation in the Mamura area, the police investigation in the case has come under scrutiny over alleged lapses in the FIR.While the building’s owner is yet to be traced, a man who assisted cops during the rescue operations was allegedly named as an accused in the case.The FIR, lodged by Mamura police outpost in charge, has named Srijan Das Gupta as the PG’s accountant and a prime accused. Cops examining his role said that Gupta had no direct role in operating or managing the accommodation. He was instead a friend of one of the PG caretakers, Krishna Kumar — the only person to be arrested in the case so far — and had been staying on the premises after a dispute with his previous landlord.Officials said Gupta had, in fact, provided crucial information about the PG’s operator, caretaker and other individuals immediately after the incident. Police have indicated his name could be removed from the case if no evidence of involvement emerges.The FIR also names another PG caretaker, Dharmendra, who is still absconding. Preliminary investigations suggest Dharmendra had managed the facility for nearly four years, though a formal written agreement was executed only about a year ago.Investigators have also not been able to trace the building’s original owner, a resident of Choda village in Noida. Residents questioned why the owner’s role has not been examined, particularly since the FIR itself cited serious fire safety violations, including inadequate firefighting arrangements, absence of emergency exits and difficulties faced by occupants during evacuation.Residents said the investigation would remain incomplete unless authorities determined whether the building complied with prescribed fire safety norms and whether its use as a PG met legal requirements. Police maintained the investigation was continuing on all fronts and further action would follow based on evidence collected.Several survivors of the July 15 blaze, meanwhile, remain without permanent accommodation. Neha, a resident of Lucknow’s Alambagh who works in Noida for a monthly salary of Rs 18,000, said she barely managed to salvage her belongings from the charred building, and was still unable to get a new room as she could not afford a broker’s commission, security deposit and advance rent of Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000.Another survivor, Preeti Yadav, said she had rented a new room for Rs 10,000 a month but alleged the PG operator and caretaker had not returned tenants’ security deposits despite repeated requests. Several other residents made similar allegations of lost belongings and savings.Residents said the narrow bylanes of Mamura were home to more than 100 PGs and rental accommodations, housing mostly students and working professionals. They said the congested lanes were choked with illegally parked vehicles and shops, and that inadequate fire safety measures made it only a matter of time before another disaster struck unless authorities enforced stricter safety standards and accountability.
