City Light Hotel owner arrested

After a long wait of almost 80 days, Syed Hasan Boluki, the owner of City Light Hotel was arrested by the Mahankali police on Saturday. He was apprehended at a newly established hotel. The police had refrained from arresting him earlier as he had been admitted into a hospital after the City Light tragedy. Both his son and son-in-law had succumbed when the building collapsed and the news led to Hasan having a mild heart attack. He also suffered paralysis in the lower limbs.

According to the Mahankali inspector, “Boluki was apprehended in a newly established hotel. He will be put forth before a judge for judicial remand after having a medical check-up as he has been suffering from multiple ailments.” The police framed charges against him under Section 304-A (causing death by negligent or rash act) of the Indian Penal Code after the death of 18 people. ACP Mahendar of the Mahankali police station was given charge of the case.

On July 8, 12 workers and customers died after being crushed under the debris of the hotel following incessant rains at 6.30am. The remaining 6 of 19 injured breathed their last during treatment at Gandhi hospital. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel were deployed in the rescue operations which went on for over 24 hours.

The government announced Rs 6.5 lakh compensation to kin of the deceased in the mishap. Many families of the victims are yet to recover from the repercussions of the City Light hotel tragedy. After the collapse, authorities of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Council (GHMC) took matters into their hands and razed the building completely as it was in a dilapidated condition.