States » EastPosted at: Oct 28 2026 11:44PM


Shikha Inn fire: Final suspect Saba Zafar arrested by Kolkata Police in Howrah

Kolkata, Oct 28 (UNI) Saba Zafar, the final suspect in connection with the fire at Shikha Inn hotel in the New Market area that claimed nine lives, including that of a child, has been arrested by the Kolkata Police.
Saba was arrested by the Detective Department and the Anti-Rowdy Section following a raid in Shibpur, Howrah. Her husband, Abu Zafar, had been taken into custody earlier. Police sources said the hotel was leased in Saba’s name.
The fire broke out around 2 am on August 18 on the third floor of the hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street. The rooms quickly filled with smoke, triggering panic among guests. Firefighters rushed to the spot after receiving an alert. Police from New Market police station and the Disaster Management Force also reached the scene.
Firefighters initially tried to douse the flames from outside before entering the building to rescue those trapped inside. Several people reportedly lost consciousness due to smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital. Nine people, including a child, died in the incident.
Hotel owner Bireshwar Mitra, who had been absconding after the fire, was arrested at his residence in Behala on August 22. During interrogation, he reportedly told police that he had leased the hotel to Abu Zafar for a monthly rent of Rs 40,000.
Acting on Mitra’s statements, police detained Abu on Wednesday. Investigators subsequently found that the lease agreement also named his wife, Saba, who had been absconding until her arrest. UNI BGA NST
Tags: #Shikha Inn fire: Final suspect Saba Zafar arrested by Kolkata Police in Howrah
More News

Former Meghalaya CM raises concerns over unabated influx, volatile border disputes

28 Oct 2026 | 11:51 PM

Shillong, Oct 28 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Meghalaya Assembly and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Dr Mukul Sangma has raised serious concerns over the unabated influx of illegal immigrants and domestic migrants into the state.

see more..

Bengal: Idol artisan's workshop set ablaze in Burdwan over alleged police handover of thief

28 Oct 2026 | 11:48 PM

Burdwan, Oct 28 (UNI) An idol artisan's workshop was allegedly set on fire in the Chotonilpur Subhashpalli area of West Bengal's Burdwan town on Tuesday night in retaliation for handing over a suspected thief to the police.

see more..

IFFCO Paradip Unit holds vigilance drive

28 Oct 2026 | 11:45 PM

Bhubaneswar, Oct 28 (UNI) IFFCO’s Paradip Unit observed a three-day Vigilance Awareness Drive from October 26 to 28 under the theme “Probity for Prosperity”, focusing on integrity, transparency and corruption prevention.
The programme began on October 27 with the administration of the Integrity Pledge by IFFCO Managing Director K. J. Patel. Chairman Dileep Sanghani, Patel and Chief Vigilance Officer Vikas Goyal called for greater accountability, ethical conduct and collective efforts to strengthen good governance.

see more..

Shikha Inn fire: Final suspect Saba Zafar arrested by Kolkata Police in Howrah

28 Oct 2026 | 11:44 PM

Kolkata, Oct 28 (UNI) Saba Zafar, the final suspect in connection with the fire at Shikha Inn hotel in the New Market area that claimed nine lives, including that of a child, has been arrested by the Kolkata Police.

see more..

Bengal: 12 miners rescued after 12-hour ordeal at ECL's Kumardihi colliery; 30 others evacuated underground

28 Oct 2026 | 11:41 PM

Durgapur, Oct 28 (UNI) Twelve miners suspended mid-shaft and 30 others trapped in an underground gallery were rescued after a steam winder failure paralysed operations at Eastern Coalfields Limited's (ECL) Kumardihi 'A' colliery, bringing an overnight rescue operation lasting nearly 12 hours to an end early on Tuesday.

see more..