The CID has arrested a man named Shanti Ranjan Dey and identified him as a prime accused in the fire that destroyed several shops in Howrah’s Mangla Haat on July 21.
Originally from Dum Dum, Dey allegedly used to control the business at the market. Police said he claimed to be the owner of the plot on which the market has been running.
Many traders had alleged sabotage after the fire damaged several shops at Mangla Haat.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had asked the CID to probe the fire.
Visiting the aggrieved traders after attending the Martyrs’ Day rally at Esplanade on July 21, the chief minister had said the state government would ensure that shopkeepers returned to the market as early as possible.
The market reopened on Monday, 18 days after the fire.
“We will interrogate Dey further to ascertain whether the fire was accidental or an act of arson,” said a CID officer.
Dey was produced in a court in Howrah on Tuesday and sent to police custody for a day.
