Amit Shah questions ‘momo factory’ links, seeks probe after deadly Kolkata warehouse fire: 'Whose money...'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah

• Amit Shah blames Mamata govt for Kolkata warehouse fire, cites corruption, lapses
• Death toll from the blaze rises to 25; probe urged into fire safety violations
• Political tensions escalate as BJP demands accountability from state authorities

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday trained his guns on the Mamata Banerjee-led government over the deadly blaze at warehouses in Kolkata’s Anandapur area, saying the tragedy stemmed from alleged corruption and lapses in governance rather than chance.

Speaking at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Karyakarta Sammelan in North 24 Parganas, Shah said the incident had exposed deep flaws in the state’s administrative machinery and called for fixing responsibility through a comprehensive investigation. Referring to the fire that gutted multiple facilities, including a godown linked to Wow! Momo, he said the blaze was “not an accident" but a consequence of alleged corruption.

Paying homage to the workers who lost their lives, Shah questioned the circumstances under which the facility was operating and the conduct of authorities in the aftermath.

“Whose money is parked in the momo factory? With whom did the owner travel abroad? Why has the owner not been arrested yet?" he asked, alleging that the state administration was shielding those responsible.

Delayed response, calls for probe

Shah also criticised what he described as an unusually slow response from the government, claiming that a minister reached the site nearly 32 hours after the fire broke out.

“Labourers were trapped inside, screaming for help, and the government remained silent," he alleged.

Urging Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene, Shah said a full-fledged probe was essential to ensure accountability and to see that those found guilty are sent to jail.

The fire first erupted at a decorator’s warehouse before spreading rapidly to an adjacent godown being used by Wow! Momo. Many workers were reportedly asleep when the blaze began, drastically reducing their chances of escape.

The official death toll has climbed to 25, though authorities cautioned that the figure could rise further as search and rescue operations continue.

Identification efforts and political fallout

Police have collected more than 20 DNA samples from relatives to establish the identities of victims, while several families have filed missing person complaints, fearing their kin may still be trapped beneath the rubble.

Investigators are also examining whether mandatory fire safety measures were adhered to at the 12,000-square-foot warehouse, which stored packaging material, beverages and other supplies. Preliminary findings indicate that stacks of material near the entrance may have blocked movement during the emergency.

The tragedy has heightened political tensions in West Bengal. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari staged a protest at the site, holding the Chief minister responsible and demanding accountability from the state government.