Kolkata: The state on Tuesday registered a complaint against Jessop owner Pawan
Ruia
at the Dum Dum police station and ordered a CID probe into the triple fires in seven days at the factory even as allegations of arson made the rounds.
The fire department has also ordered a forensic probe into the blaze that destroyed the paint shop and coach factory section of the 196-year old factory on Monday night.
While Ruia was unavailable for comment, the group's vice-president (corporate communications),
Dhrubajyoti Nandi
, said, "As the state has taken over the company, we have no control on it now."
Whiffs of smoke could still be seen rising from the ashes inside the coach factory section on Tuesday morning. Fire tenders continued to spray water on the paint shop floors. "It does not seem to be an accident. So, we have ordered a forensic probe," said fire minister
Sovan Chatterjee
, after a spot visit. "If required, we will lodge an FIR against the promoters." While the police top brass declined to say what sparked the blaze, firemen on the spot were surprised when fresh flames leapt up after five engines doused the initial fire.
CM
Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday ordered a CID probe even as the government slapped charges of flouting high court order on the Jessop management. In 2013, Calcutta high court told Jessop to repair the walls, clear bushes and tighten security at the factory. While the management sought help to set up police camps, the other two orders were not followed. Next year, the HC told the management to take necessary steps but to no avail. "They not only disobeyed court orders, but also shown no interest in protecting its assets. They ignored regular thefts on the premises," said MLA Bratya Basu. "What is he (Pawan Ruia) trying to do on this 70-acre land?"
The CID said they would probe the two FIRs, one by the fire department and the other will be based on the complaints by the company management and suo motu cases of thefts at the property. Two teams, led by the SS (HQ)
Soma Das Mitra
and SS-South Subhankar Bhattacharya were probing the case, said DIG CID Bharat Lal Meena.
Earlier, IG CID
Sanjay Singh found there were serious "concerns" about security. "Thefts started almost a year before operations were suspended," said Asit Sen, general secretary, Jessop Mazdoor Union.
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