FICCI for release of AMRI directors

Kolkata, Jan 3: Nearly a month after directors of AMRI Dhakuria Hospital were arrested in connection with the devastating fire, industry body FICCI has urged the West Bengal government to see to it that jailed directors who are not involved in its day-to-day operations are released.

"Those...not responsible for day to day operations of any business should be released immediately," the apex chamber said in a statement here.

The West Bengal government had arrested seven AMRI directors, also promoters of Emami and Sharchi Groups, following the inferno on December 9 which claimed at least 92 lives.

In its first response after the inferno devoured mostly patients and few employees of AMRI Dhakuria, the industry body also said, "This is only fair and will also prevent the spread of any negative sentiments within the domestic investor community."

FICCI in the statement asserted its belief that those found to be guilty after such an inquiry should be punished "without any discrimination or favour" as such a step will act a "necessary deterrent against any future negligence or malafide action."

FICCI also opined for making a distinction in dealing with "errors of omissions and intentional acts of commission during investigation."

Six AMRI directors, who were arrested and charged with culpable homicide, are currently lodged in Alipore Jail.The six were R S Goenka, Prashant Goenka, Manish Goenka, S K Todi, Ravi Todi and Dayanand Agarwal.

The seventh arrested director, R S Agarwal, is in SSKM hospital, here and also in judicial custody.

PTI