New Delhi, February 17: Rakesh Goel, owner of Hotel Arpi Palace in Delhi, in which 17 people were killed on February 12, was arrested from the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) Airport in Delhi on Saturday. The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police arrested Goel after he was absconding since the devastating fire at Hotel Arpit in the last week. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rajesh Deo said, according to news agency ANI saying that Goel was arrested from the airport after the police received a tip-off of his arrival from Qatar by IndiGo flight 6E 1702. Goel will be produced in a local court later today. Delhi Fire: 17 Dead After Blaze Engulfs Hotel Arpit Palace in Karol Bagh. 

According to reports, the immigration officials at the Delhi airport were alerted as a look-out circular (LOC) was issued against Goel. On his arrival, he was detained and handed over to the Crime Branch. Goel was arrested after brief questioning.

On February 12,  at least 17 people were killed as a massive fire swept through a hotel in central Delhi's Karol Bagh area. According to reports, a call about the fire was received at 4.35 am and 24 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, a senior officer from the Delhi Fire Service informed. 17 Killed As Fire Alarms at Arpit Palace Non-Functional, Fire Exit Blocked.

Reports inform that a video of the incident showed two people jumping from the fourth floor of the burning building to save themselves. As per details by eyewitnesses, most deaths were caused due to suffocation as the wooden panelling in the corridors of the hotel contributed to the quick spread of the fire.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 17, 2019 04:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).