A significant breakthrough has been reported in the investigation into the deadly fire at a commercial building on Bailey Road in Dhaka, as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has submitted a formal charge sheet against 22 individuals over their alleged involvement in the incident. The fire at the Green Cozy Cottage building resulted in heavy casualties and sparked renewed scrutiny over fire safety compliance in the city’s commercial establishments.
The charge sheet was filed on Thursday (2 April) before the relevant court by investigating officer and CID Inspector Shah Jalal Munshi. It names owners, managers and business operators connected with multiple restaurants and commercial outlets housed within the multi-storey building.
Alongside the 22 accused, investigators have recommended the discharge of four individuals. Of them, two have been identified as deceased, while the remaining two were cleared on the grounds of insufficient evidence linking them to the alleged offences.
Key Details of the Case
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total accused | 22 individuals |
| Recommended for discharge | 4 individuals |
| Investigating authority | Criminal Investigation Department (CID) |
| Incident site | Green Cozy Cottage, Bailey Road, Dhaka |
| Date of fire | 29 February 2024 |
| Death toll | 46 people |
| Injured | 11 people |
| Rescued | 75 people |
According to the findings submitted in the charge sheet, those named include proprietors and operators of several well-known food outlets and cafés, including Chayer Chumuk Coffee Shop, Kacchi Bhai, Khazana, Tawaz, Zesty Restaurant, Ambrosia Restaurant, Pizzain, Street Oven, and Fuko Restaurant, among others. Managers, leaseholders, and individuals associated with various floors of the building have also been implicated.
Investigators have alleged that the accused acted in coordination while operating businesses in violation of multiple government regulations. The report claims that several establishments were run without proper authorisation from the relevant authorities and in breach of mandatory fire safety and commercial licensing requirements.
It further highlights the use of gas cylinders and electric cooking equipment in confined and poorly regulated environments as a key hazard. According to the investigation, these unsafe practices significantly heightened the risk of fire, ultimately contributing to the catastrophic blaze that broke out at approximately 9:45 pm on 29 February 2024.
The CID report states that a combination of unauthorised commercial activity, inadequate fire prevention measures and structural safety violations created conditions that allowed the fire to spread rapidly through the building, resulting in extensive loss of life. Among the 46 victims, three individuals were reportedly so severely burned that they could not be identified.
Following the tragedy, a case was initially lodged at Ramna Police Station on 1 March 2024, accusing those responsible of negligence, reckless conduct, unauthorised business operations and failure to ensure public safety. The complaint also alleges that these breaches directly led to the deaths and injuries sustained in the incident.
Authorities have described the filing of the charge sheet as a crucial step towards accountability in one of Dhaka’s most devastating urban fire disasters in recent years. The court is expected to review the submission in the next phase of proceedings, as the case continues to draw public attention over building safety enforcement in densely populated commercial zones.
The Bailey Road fire, which left 46 people dead, 11 injured and 75 others rescued, remains a stark reminder of the consequences of inadequate safety oversight in high-occupancy urban buildings.