Mantralaya fire: Four police teams formed for probe

The police have formed four teams to probe the fire at Maharashtra Mantrayala, which claimed five lives, to ascertain if it was an accident or a case of sabotage.

Statements of 15 persons in this connection were also recorded on Friday, police officials said.

Four police teams, who would act under the supervision of Deputy Police Commissioner (Crime Branch) Ambadas Pote, have been formed. These teams, consisting of about 40 police personnel, including an assistant police commissioner and senior inspectors, will carry out the probe to ascertain if it was a case of sabotage or an accident, a Crime Branch official said.

Forensic teams and policemen have inspected the fourth and fifth floor of the Mantralaya, devastated after the fire, police said adding that sixth and seventh floor were not in a condition to be inspected.

Investigators are seeking the CCTV image data from the hard disk, the police said adding that CCTV cameras placed on fifth and sixth floors were badly damaged.