Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after he announced Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the families of the deceased in the Karol Bagh fire.
Taking a dig at Kejriwal he said, “Surely a human life is worth much more than Rs 5 lakh. It underlines what our machinery thinks about us, the common man. Compensation is merely a band aid on an oozing wound whereas Delhi needs surgeries and it should begin with a systematic overhaul.”
Gambhir also criticised the regulators and alleged that they flouted the rules and regulations in the name of commercial interests. “This hotel is right next to the GGF office and I know first hand how parking rules, building laws are conveniently flouted for commercial interests,” he said.
At least 17 people were killed in the fire which engulfed Hotel Arpit Palace in Delhi’s Karol Bagh on Tuesday, 12 February, leaving some survivors in critical condition and others dazed and shaken.
Around 35 people were rescued from the hotel as around two dozen fire tenders joined the battle against the flames, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mandeep Randhawa told IANS.
Two officials including the General Manager of Arpit Palace Hotel were arrested and an FIR was registered under section 304(culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 308(attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Indian Penal Code, according to the Indian Express.
(With inputs from Indian Express)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)