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Police have alleged that serious negligence by the management of TupTup Restro and Resort contributed to the deaths of 10 tourists in a devastating fire at the facility in Inani, Ukhiya, and have sought a seven-day remand for its arrested manager.
Sub-Inspector Rimon Ghosh of the Inani Police Outpost filed the remand petition before a court on Monday, seeking permission to interrogate manager Sumon, who was arrested in connection with the incident.
Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atikur Rahman Majumder told media that the preliminary investigation had revealed alleged irresponsibility and negligence on the part of the resort’s owners and staff.
Police said Sumon’s interrogation was necessary for further investigation.
The case was filed suo motu by police on Saturday, October 17, against 19 people, including the resort’s owner and manager, on allegations of causing deaths through negligence. The complaint was lodged by Ukhiya police Sub-Inspector Ashish Sutradhar.
Police are also working to bring the prime accused, Tanvir Sultan Mia, his business partner Niaz Morshed and the other accused to justice, the OC said.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) began DNA testing at its forensic laboratory in Malibagh, Dhaka, on Monday to identify the 10 victims. Samples collected from the bodies, currently preserved at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue, are being compared with samples provided by relatives.
The victims’ families, who are waiting to receive the bodies, alleged that proper fire safety measures and professional management could have helped prevent the tragedy.
Riaz Mahmud Ripon, a Dhaka resident who lost six family members in the fire, expressed anguish over the delay in handing over the bodies and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
“I do not know when we will get the bodies back. I hope the authorities will not prolong our wait,” he said, adding that the resort management should face justice if its negligence is established.
The fire broke out at the resort in the Patuyartek area of Inani, beside the Marine Drive road, on Saturday morning. After the blaze was brought under control with assistance from police and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), firefighters recovered the 10 bodies and transported them to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, where they remain in the morgue pending identification.
The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations against the accused have yet to be established in court.
