Lucknow Aliganj fire kills 18: FIR filed, 4 building owners arrested
Synopsis
Eighteen people, most of them young adults, died in a fire that tore through a multi-use commercial building in Lucknow's Aliganj on Monday — a building with no emergency exits, no fire safety systems, and a single entry point. Four people are now under arrest, and the FIR paints a picture of knowing, systematic negligence.
Key Takeaways
At least 18 people were killed and several injured in a fire at a commercial building in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday evening .
Most victims were reportedly aged between 20 and 24 years .
An FIR was registered at Aliganj Police Station under Sections 105, 110, 125 and 3(5) of the BNS against six named individuals .
Four accused — building owners Ramkrishna Upadhyay , Virendra Prasad Shukla , Tushank Krishna Jaiswal , and studio operator Suresh Kumar Sahu — have been arrested.
The building had no fire safety arrangements , no emergency exit, no smoke ventilation, and only one entry and exit point , according to the FIR.
PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath announced ex gratia relief; Adityanath cut short his Aligarh visit to meet the injured in Lucknow.
A devastating fire at a commercial building in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday evening killed at least 18 people and injured several others, prompting police to register an FIR against the building's owners and operators. Most of the victims were reportedly aged between 20 and 24 years. Four accused, including three building owners and a studio operator, have been taken into custody.
FIR Details and Sections Invoked
The case was registered at Aliganj Police Station under Sections 105, 110, 125 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), naming six individuals. Among those arrested are building owners Ramkrishna Upadhyay, Virendra Prasad Shukla, and Tushank Krishna Jaiswal. Hours after their arrest, police confirmed that a fourth accused, Suresh Kumar Sahu, the studio operator, had also been taken into custody.
How the Fire Spread
According to the FIR, the three-storey building in Sector-D near Purania Chauraha housed a pet shop and clinic on the ground and first floors, a video gaming zone and 3D animation centre on the second floor, and an IT networking office on the third floor. The fire reportedly broke out at around 2:30 pm in the pet shop and clinic area, rapidly filling the entire structure with thick smoke. Animals housed in the pet shop also perished in the blaze.
The building had only a single entry and exit point, no smoke ventilation system, and electrical installations that were allegedly maintained in an unsafe manner. With escape routes blocked, several trapped individuals reportedly jumped from upper floors and the rooftop in desperate attempts to survive, sustaining serious injuries in the process.
Safety Violations at the Centre of Probe
The FIR states that the building lacked even basic fire safety measures. 'No fire safety arrangements had been made in the building, and there was no emergency exit or alternative escape route,' the complaint states. Investigators allege that the owners and managers knowingly disregarded safety requirements despite being aware that such negligence could endanger lives. This comes amid growing scrutiny of fire safety compliance in commercial buildings across Uttar Pradesh, where enforcement has been repeatedly flagged as inadequate.
Political Response and Relief Measures
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the tragedy and announced ex gratia assistance for the victims' families. Chief Minister Adityanath cut short his visit to Aligarh and returned to Lucknow to meet the injured at hospital. Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire and the alleged safety violations at the premises.
Point of View
A single entry point, and allegedly unsafe electrical wiring was operating in plain sight in a state capital. The FIR's allegation that owners 'knowingly ignored' safety requirements points to a failure of enforcement, not just individual negligence. Uttar Pradesh, like much of India, has fire safety regulations on paper; the gap lies in routine inspection and consequence. Until commercial building audits are made mandatory and penalties for violations are made public, tragedies like this will recur with grim regularity.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Lucknow Aliganj fire that killed 18 people?
The fire reportedly broke out at around 2:30 pm in a pet shop and clinic on the lower floors of a three-storey commercial building in Sector-D, Aliganj, and rapidly spread through the structure due to the absence of fire safety measures and ventilation. The exact technical cause is under investigation.
Who has been arrested in connection with the Lucknow fire?
Four people have been arrested: building owners Ramkrishna Upadhyay, Virendra Prasad Shukla, and Tushank Krishna Jaiswal, and studio operator Suresh Kumar Sahu. The FIR names six individuals in total.
What safety violations have been alleged at the Aliganj building?
The FIR states the building had no fire safety arrangements, no emergency exit or alternative escape route, no smoke ventilation system, a single entry and exit point, and electrical installations allegedly maintained in an unsafe manner. Owners are accused of knowingly ignoring these requirements.
What relief has the government announced for the victims?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath both expressed condolences and announced ex gratia assistance for the victims' families. Chief Minister Adityanath cut short his visit to Aligarh and returned to Lucknow to visit the injured at hospital.
What legal sections have been invoked in the Lucknow fire FIR?
The FIR was registered under Sections 105, 110, 125 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Aliganj Police Station, Lucknow, against six named individuals including the building owners and the studio operator.
