Nand Nagri fire toll 14,two held

The two accused have been identified as Sanjay Aggarwal,(38),who set up the pandal,and Sher Singh (30),the electrician. “We found that due to the negligence of these two,the tent caught fire. A criminal case has been registered against the two,” said Sanjay Kumar Jain,DCP (Northeast).

Doctors at GTB Hospital said 55-year-old Shakila Bai,who sustained 40 per cent burns,died of complications triggered by a severe heart disease.

More than 40 eunuchs were injured when the tent at the community centre,where they were holding a Kinnar Sammelan,caught fire around 7.30 pm on Sunday. Police said at least 35 are still admitted in hospitals. Police are also trying to identify the community leaders who had organised the event.

Delhi Fire Services chief A K Sharma said the department was not approached for a clearance,a promise the Delhi government said the organisers made while taking permission for the 10-day event.

Chetan Sanghi,CEO of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board that manages the community hall,said the organisers were granted permission on their affidavit that they will take a no-objection certificate from fire officials.

“But they seem to have defaulted on that affidavit. Starting today we have stopped giving permissions on affidavits. Organises will now have to submit a fire clearance first,if they plan to erect tents in a community centre,” Sanghi said.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit,meanwhile,announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the dead,Rs 50,000 to those with major injuries,Rs 10,000 to those with minor injuries and Rs 5,000 to all the others.

The government also ordered an inquiry by the divisional commissioner to investigate the cause of the mishap and fix responsibility.

Till late evening,doctors said only six of the 14 bodies had been identified,as others were charred beyond recognition.

Police said a short circuit led to the fire. “We called the Forensic team to inspect the site. They have taken samples and will try to identify the exact cause of fire,” said DCP Jain.

At least 90 officials were at the site of the tragedy helping eunuchs identify their baggage.