Aliganj fire: Suspended FSSO Kamalendra Kumar Singh writes to Yogi

Kamalendra Kumar Singh, the FSSO suspended in connection with the Aliganj fire, wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, calling the action taken against him unjust. He demanded that the Lucknow CFO be held fully responsible for the incident.

In the letter, Kamalendra Kumar Singh wrote that 15 students died in a fire at a coaching center on June 22. The action taken against him in this regard is unjust because the FSSO’s jurisdiction is limited. “My work is limited to local inspections and reporting. I do not have the authority to issue fire clearances for buildings or enforce safety standards on a large scale.”

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The FSSO stated that the primary responsibility lies with the Lucknow CFO. He is responsible for the city’s fire safety system and for granting fire clearances to buildings. The CFO should have been aware that a building that was approved for residential use had been illegally used for commercial purposes for years.

Kamalendra wrote in the letter that the delay and lack of coordination in the fire fighting process after the fire indicated direct negligence on the part of the CFO.

He demanded that the action taken against him be reconsidered, that the Lucknow CFO be held fully responsible for the incident, and that strict departmental and legal action be taken against him.

He also demanded that speedy justice and appropriate compensation be ensured. This letter was written on Monday and is signed by the FSSO, Indiranagar, Lucknow.

It is noteworthy that four accused, including the building owner, have been arrested and four officers suspended in the Aliganj fire incident. The case is being investigated by a two-member team comprising Additional Chief Secretary Amrit Abhijat and Additional Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar.