Illegal commercial use, safety lapses: 18 found guilty in Lucknow fire case
A probe into the devastating fire in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow that claimed 15 lives has found 18 officials and engineers of the Lucknow Development Authority
A probe into the devastating fire in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow that claimed 15 lives has found 18 officials and engineers of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) guilty of lapses linked to the building where the tragedy occurred. The findings have intensified scrutiny of the approvals, oversight and safety checks surrounding the structure, which investigators found was being used in violation of its sanctioned plan. Read Full Story The LDA Vice-Chairman has forwarded the inquiry report to the Uttar Pradesh government, recommending action against the officials found responsible. Among those named are five zonal officers along with engineers and other officials associated with the case. The LDA had earlier suspended one junior engineer and one assistant engineer.
BUILDING APPROVED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE, USED COMMERCIALLY The inquiry found that the building's map had originally been approved for residential use. However, contrary to the sanctioned plan, it was being used for commercial activities. Investigators also found that a demolition order issued against the illegal construction in 2016 was later revoked. According to the report, the demolition order was cancelled by the then prescribed authority, Durgesh Srivastava. The findings have raised fresh questions over how the building continued to operate despite alleged violations over several years. SAFETY FAILURES PROVED FATAL The probe found that the building lacked adequate arrangements to expel smoke during a fire. When the blaze broke out, smoke rapidly spread through the structure and filled rooms across the building.
Most of the victims died due to suffocation, according to the findings. The FIR in the case also pointed to serious fire safety shortcomings. Investigators found there were no adequate fire safety measures in place and no alternative or emergency exit for occupants during an emergency. The building had only one main entry and exit point, severely restricting evacuation when the fire spread. Electrical wiring and equipment were allegedly installed in an unsafe manner. Air-conditioner outdoor units and other equipment inside the building were also found to have been installed in violation of safety norms. RESCUE TEAMS FORCED TO BREAK WALLS The inquiry revealed the extent of the challenges faced by rescue teams during the operation.
Firefighters and Disaster Response Force personnel had to cut through walls to gain access to parts of the building and rescue those trapped inside. Investigators concluded that the building operators and other responsible persons were aware of potential risks but failed to take the necessary safety measures. The findings come weeks after the blaze shocked the state and triggered demands for accountability over building safety enforcement, illegal construction and regulatory oversight. With the report now submitted to the government, attention is expected to shift towards disciplinary action against the officials named in the inquiry and possible action against others linked to the operation of the building. Ends
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