Police have formally petitioned a Cox's Bazar court for a seven-day remand for Jahid Hossain, the assistant manager of the Toptop Resort near Patuartek beach in Ukhia, following a catastrophic fire that resulted in the tragic deaths of 10 tourists. The accused was produced before the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court on Sunday afternoon under tight security. However, the remand hearing could not proceed as the designated investigating officer was away in Dhaka handling DNA profiling procedures for the victims. Consequently, the court ordered the accused to be sent to jail until the hearing can be rescheduled upon the officer's return.
The devastating blaze broke out on Saturday morning at the popular beachfront resort, trapping numerous holidaymakers inside as flames rapidly engulfed the premises. Fire Service and Civil Defense units rushed to the scene to battle the inferno, subsequently recovering 10 charred bodies from the debris. The tragedy sent shockwaves across the nation, leaving grieving relatives devastated as they searched for loved ones who had traveled to the coastal district for leisure. The sheer scale of the disaster has sparked urgent concerns regarding safety compliance and emergency exit protocols in regional hospitality establishments.
Following the incident, Sub-Inspector Ashish Sutradhar of Ukhia Police Station filed a formal case late Saturday night, accusing four named individuals—including resort owner Md. Tanvir Sultan Miah—along with 19 unnamed suspects, on charges of causing death by negligence. While police managed to apprehend assistant manager Jahid Hossain, the remaining prime suspects remain at large. Law enforcement agencies have launched coordinated raids across multiple locations to track down the fugitives and bring them to justice.
Ukhia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Atiqur Rahman confirmed that while the suspect was presented before the magistrate on Sunday, the absence of the case investigator, who traveled to Dhaka with DNA samples for identification, delayed the formal remand proceedings. Authorities are determined to uncover whether the fire was a result of gross negligence, electrical malfunction, or other underlying causes. Investigators are closely scrutinizing whether the resort possessed valid operating licenses and adequate fire safety infrastructure.
Investigating officer SI Rimon Ghosh stated that he is currently in Dhaka processing the forensic DNA samples and will return to Cox's Bazar by Tuesday to participate in the remand hearing. Police believe that interrogating the assistant manager under custody will yield critical insights into the operational lapses that allowed such a catastrophe to occur. Authorities have assured the public that a thorough and impartial investigation is underway to hold all responsible parties accountable.
The incident has renewed intense scrutiny over the safety standards, building codes, and regulatory oversight of hotels, motels, and resorts operating within tourist zones. Local stakeholders and civil society representatives have strongly urged the administration to enforce stringent safety audits across all hospitality venues to prevent similar tragedies and ensure the safety of visitors.
