Anil Roongta Summoned Over Fatal Fire at Surat Spa

Surat : Anil Roongta, chairman of the reputed Roongta Developers has been embroiled in controversy over the major fire at the Amritaya Spa and Gym-11 located at Shivpuja complex in the posh City Light area where two girls hailing from Sikkim died of asphyxiation last week. Roongta, who is also the president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Surat has been summoned by the Surat police for recording his statement in the major fire as he had purchased the property where the incident occurred. 

Two women died of asphyxiation after a fire broke out at Amritaya Spa and Gym on November 5. The blaze, which started on the top floor of the mall, quickly engulfed the spa and gym, trapping those inside.

The fire department was alerted shortly after the incident began, and multiple fire engines were dispatched to the scene. 

According to Fire Officer Krishna Modh, who led the firefighting operation, around 10-12 fire engines were deployed, with firefighters using water cannons to contain and extinguish the flames. 

The fire was caused due to the short circuit and potential safety lapses at the facility. Eyewitnesses reported that thick smoke filled the area, making it difficult for those inside to find their way out. The victims were unable to escape in time, succumbing to smoke inhalation before rescuers could reach them.

The Umara police recorded the statement of the builder of Shivpuja complex identified as Bhupendra Patel alias Bhupendra Popat. In his statement, Patel stated that the property where the spa and gym was located was sold to Anil Roongta of Roongta Developers in 2023. Patel presented the sales deed before the police mentioning the name of Anil Roongta. 

The spa and gym was given on rent to Shahnawaz by Bhupendra Patel. However, when the property was sold to Anil Roongta, the name of Bhupendra Patel appeared on the rent agreement. 

In his statement, Patel stated that there is a practice in Surat where the realtors and industrialists purchase the property in the posh areas for creating additional income through rent. In the process, the investors keep the old tenants in the property. 

Sources said that Anil Roongta is likely to appear before the Surat police to record his statement. Meanwhile, the leaders of VHP are propagating that Roongta is the president of VHP and he will not let out his properties to the Muslim tenants. 

Interestingly, Shahnawaz has stated in his police statement that the property is owned by Anil Roongta and he was giving the rent to him.