Shillong, Feb 25: East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the Shillong Bar Association building fire incident.
The entire building was gutted by the inferno on Feb 24 night and the most affected were the lawyers who lost valuable documents, case papers, computers, laptops among others.
The Shillong Bar Association has filed a complaint with the police for a probe into the incident as the cause of fire is yet to be ascertained.
According to the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commisioner RM Kurbah, initial inquiry suggests that the cause of the fire is due to short circuit.
“We have ordered a magisterial probe to be conducted by B Wahlang to go into all aspects”, Kurbah said.
However, the Bar Association wants to wait for the police probe before commenting on the cause of fire.
“We have filed an FIR with the police so that the investigation can reveal the facts”, said advocate HR Nath, the president of Shillong Bar Association.
Chowkidar Bolaprasad Yadav said he finished his duty at 8 pm and locked the area.
According to the chowkidar, the last one to come to the building was a lawyer but he left at 7 pm.
“We were in the TV room opposite the Bar Association and after noticing smoke from the building, we have altered the authorities”, he said.
The fire may have spread from a room inside but the key was not with the chowkidar.
