Six killed in major fire in Hyderabad multi-storeyed commercial complex
Hyderabad (PTI): Six persons including four women died after inhaling smoke following a major fire in a multi-storey commercial complex in Secunderabad here, officials said Friday.
The six were found in an unconscious condition by firemen on Thursday in a room on the fifth floor of the Swapnalok Complex' building and were rushed to a state-run hospital, they said. All six were brought dead to the hospital, a doctor said.
A senior police official said the cause of death would be known after investigation but, most likely, inhaling smoke could be the reason. Legal action will be initiated, the official said.
Twelve people were rescued from the building using hydraulic platform and six, who suffered asphyxiation, were admitted to different hospitals, officials said. Some of those, who were trapped inside the building flashed cell phone lights seeking help.
The victims belong to Warangal, Mahabubabad and Khammam districts of Telangana. They were employed in a marketing company which had an office in the complex, officials said. The deceased were aged under 25 and had joined the company recently.
According to a witness, the fire started at around 7.30 PM in the complex that houses several private offices, garments and electronic shops.
More than 10 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to extinguish the blaze as huge flames leapt out from one of floors of the eight-storey building and smoke emanated from the premises earlier.
The fire was brought under control after midnight on Thursday, another official supervising rescue operation said. The fire is suspected to have started from the fifth floor of the building and a preliminary investigation suggested short-circuit to be the reason behind the blaze, said the official.
Three people were feared killed in a major fire in a five-storey commercial building in Secunderabad this January. The fire ravaged building and was subsequently demolished.
Breaking massive fire breaks out in Swapnalok Complex, Secunderabad Hyderabad several people are feared trapped in the building.#Hyderabad #firesafety pic.twitter.com/dAu1b7ouAZ
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
