The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has submitted a chargesheet against 22 individuals in connection with the at on Bailey Road in the capital on February 29, 2024, which claimed 46 lives.
The chargesheet was filed on Thursday with the prosecution division of a Dhaka court.
SI Shah Alam of the prosecution division said the next hearing in the case has been scheduled for April 19.
The fire broke out at around 9:45pm on February 29, 2024, at a building named Green Cozy Cottage on Bailey Road. A total of 46 people were killed in the incident, including 20 men, 18 women, and 8 children. Another 75 people were rescued alive.
According to the investigation officer, CID Inspector Shahjalal Munshi, multiple restaurants and coffee shops had been operating illegally in the building for a long time. The structure had been extended up to nine floors in violation of its approved design, and the residential building was being fully used for commercial purposes. Most establishments lacked valid trade licences, fire safety measures, or emergency exits.
After a lengthy investigation, the CID found that the fire originated from an electric kettle used at the "Chayer Chumuk" shop on the ground floor. The flames quickly spread smoke throughout the building, triggering panic. However, many people were unable to escape due to the absence of emergency exits on most floors and because the only staircase was partially blocked with goods and gas cylinders.
The situation worsened at the "Kacchi Bha" restaurant, where the main gate was closed after the fire broke out. The chargesheet states that the gate had been kept shut to prevent customers from leaving without paying their bills, and it was not opened even during the fire. As a result, those inside became trapped in smoke, lost consciousness due to suffocation, and were later burned to death. The highest number of casualties occurred in this restaurant.
The investigation also found that flammable interior materials, the use of gas cylinders on different floors, and illegal rooftop structures that reduced open space contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. A special discount marking leap year day had drawn larger-than-usual crowds, increasing the number of casualties.
The case was initially filed by SI Mohammad Shahidul Islam of Ramna police station and later transferred to the CID for investigation.
Among those named in the case are owners and managers of several establishments, including "Chayer Chumuk" tea shop, "Kacchi Bhai", "Khana's", "Tawaz", "Zesty", "Fuoco", "Mezbanikhana", "Ambrosia", "Pizza Inn", and "Street Oven", along with associated building stakeholders.
However, the CID recommended dropping charges against space owner AK Nasim Haidar and Captain Sardar Md Mizanur Rahman as they are deceased, despite evidence of their involvement.
It also recommended acquittal for Md Anwar Hossain Sumon and Shafiqul Rahman Rimon, who are currently on bail, due to lack of evidence linking them to the incident.
During the investigation, 11 accused were arrested but are now out on bail, while 13 others remain absconding.
State prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Sumon said that formal charges will be framed after completing necessary procedures, and the trial proceedings will begin soon with witness testimonies aimed at expediting the case.
