Tiruchirappalli (TN), Jan 25: Two days after the devastating fire at a wedding hall in nearby Srirangam claimed 57 lives, police today arrested four persons, including the hall manager and the electrician, based on preliminary investigation. Inspector General of Police, central zone, S George told reporters here that there was a prima facie case against the four during the preliminary inquiry and the investigation was expected to be completed in 15 to 30 days.

Those arrested were Sadagopan, manager of the Padmapriya marriage hall, R Balaji, video light boy, M Selvam, Pandal contractor and electrician K Murugesan.
An officer at the additional sp level would handle the investigation which would be based purely on scientific evidence. The owner of the marriage hall and the videographer were being spared for now as their exact role "is still under investigation", he said.
Talking about the directions which the investigation would take, he said "we will inquire in three angles. Shoddy wiring leading to the short circuit, low ceiling of the thatched roof, and Homam fire."

It was also possible that the 1000 watt halogen lamp of "focus light" for the video coverage could have ignited the festoon, he said adding the police investigating team would coordinate with the other agencies, including the electricity board and city corporation as there was a complaint that the wedding hall owner had violated all building norms.
Fifty-four persons, including the bridegroom, were charred to death and the bride and 37 others were injured in the mishap on Friday.
Bureau Report