Bengaluru
In a tragic incident in Attibele, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, the death toll has risen to 17 as another victim succumbed to burn injuries. The latest victim, 19-year-old laborer Rajesh from Tamil Nadu, passed away at Saint John’s Hospital. Two other individuals admitted to the hospital had already lost their lives. The state government has initiated a magisterial inquiry into the case, appointing Amalan Aditya Biswas, the Regional Commissioner of Bengaluru division, as the investigating officer. He has been tasked with submitting the probe report within three months. The Karnataka Police have also submitted their report on the incident to the state government, and a case has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) with the Attibele police station. The tragic event unfolded on October 7 when a fire erupted at the Balaji Traders firecracker shop and godown. The fire started while crackers were being unloaded from a canter, rapidly spreading to the godown and stall. Balaji Traders owner V. Ramaswamy Reddy and Anil Kumar have been arrested, while another accused is currently receiving medical treatment.
