Kolkata:
Nearly a month after directors of AMRI Hospital were arrested in connection with the devastating fire, industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has urged the West Bengal government to ensure that the 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.
Seven AMRI directors, who are also promoters of Emami and Sharchi Groups, were arrested following the massive fire at the hospital on December 9 which claimed 93 lives.
FICCI, the association of business organisations across India, 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 guilty after 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."
The industry body said it believes that the investigating authorities should make a distinction in dealing with "errors of omissions and intentional acts of commission during investigation."
Six AMRI directors -- R S Goenka, Prashant Goenka, Manish Goenka, S K Todi, Ravi Todi and Dayanand Agarwal-- were arrested and charged with culpable homicide, and are currently lodged in Alipore Jail.
The seventh arrested director, R S Agarwal, is at the SSKM hospital in Kolkata, and also in judicial custody.