HOSPITALITY ADDRESS TO HORROR HOUSE

March 30: The owner of Golden Parkk, B.S. Gujrral, and the manager, Gautam Majumdar, were arrested after a fire at the Ho Chi Minh Sarani address left two guests dead.

The two have been booked under sections 11J and 11L of the West Bengal Fire Safety Act, along with IPC sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 338 (causing grievous hurt by endangering life or personal safety of others), 427 (mischief) and 34 (common intention).

If convicted, Gujrral and Majumdar could be sent to jail for life. The duo will be produced in court tomorrow.

The owner and the manager of Golden Parkk have been slapped with almost the same sections as the owners of AMRI Hospitals. Ninety-one people had died after a building in AMRI Dhakuria got enveloped in smoke following a fire in the basement on December 9, 2011.

"The fact that the case has been started under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder is an indication that the preliminary police inquiry has revealed some culpability of the hotel management. Now, it is for the police to establish the charges with evidence and witnesses," a criminal lawyer said.

Gujrral and Majumdar were detained at Shakespeare Sarani police station early today and were arrested in the afternoon.

Gujrral was also involved in transport business and had set up restaurants near Minto Park. He was perceived to be close to a CPM leader in Haldia, who has since switched camps.

Gujrral runs a catering college in Haldia and also has a hotel there, Golden Retreat. Sources said both have flourished under the patronage of the leader.

The sources also said that Golden Parkk was doing well because of its "reasonable tariff" and "prime location".

"It is a good option for mid-segment companies to hold their sales and dealers' meet," a city businessman said.