Birbhum District Police on Tuesday arrested Tapas Paul alias Probir, the primary owner of Hotel Bideshini in Tarapith, West Bengal, following a devastating fire that killed nine people and left several others missing since Monday morning. The arrest comes a day after police detained his son and co-owner, Kalyan Paul, making it the second major custodial action in the case within 24 hours.

How the Fire Unfolded

The blaze broke out on Monday morning at Hotel Bideshini, located just metres from the Tarapith Goddess Tara temple and adjacent to the Tarapith Police Station. Initial investigation indicated the fire originated from a short circuit, with hotel sources confirming it spread rapidly through the building.

With the hotel's electricity supply cut off by the fire, directional signage failed, leaving guests disoriented in smoke-filled corridors. Many attempted to escape through the front reception, a decision that proved fatal for some. There were 43 people — residents and guests — inside the hotel at the time of the fire. While 22 were initially rescued, nine subsequently died at the Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital. A further seven remain under treatment there.

Victims and the Missing

Of the nine fatalities, five belonged to the same family from Meghalaya, who had travelled to Tarapith to offer prayers at the Goddess Tara temple. The ninth victim, Rajesh Sharma, a resident of Dhupguri in Jalpaiguri district, North Bengal, succumbed to injuries on Monday night. A handful of guests are still unaccounted for.

Investigators are conducting a thorough search of a pond adjacent to the hotel, with professional divers deployed to determine whether any missing persons may have jumped into the water or whether bodies could be submerged. 'We have taken professional divers to the scene this afternoon and a thorough search operation there is on,' a district police officer said.

Forensic Probe and Legal Action

Birbhum District Police registered a suo motu case in the matter. A forensic team has already collected samples to assess the hotel's overall safety compliance. Police have simultaneously launched their own parallel investigation into the circumstances that allowed the fire to spread so rapidly.

Safety Audit of Tarapith Hotels

Authorities have ordered a comprehensive fire and electrical safety audit of all hotel accommodations in Tarapith. The inspection will cover electrical wiring, distribution boards, meters, earthing, and permitted load capacities, as well as fire extinguishers, hydrants, pumps, water tanks, hose reels, fire alarms, emergency lighting, and smoke detection systems.

Exit routes, staircases, and emergency evacuation paths will also be assessed, and officials will verify whether all properties hold the requisite fire safety clearances. This comes amid growing concerns that pilgrim-destination hotels across West Bengal operate with inadequate safety infrastructure. As the search of the pond continues, the death toll could yet rise.