The West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, on Tuesday turned down a request from industry body FICCI that sought the State government's intervention in securing the release of the directors of AMRI Hospital taken into custody following a fire there that lead to the death of over 90 people, mainly patients. According to the Chief Minister, it would be unjust if the request was acceded to.

The Chamber had put forth its case on the grounds of fair play and stated that the steps might lead to emergence of negative investor sentiments.

While the Chief Minister refrained from naming the Chamber in her address, she underlined the need to distinguish between investments in the State and following of laws of the land (by investors).

“A particular business organisation had sought our intervention on the AMRI issue, but I am sorry I cannot do anything in this regard. I too want to attract investments to the State but not at the cost of lives of common people. From the chair that I am sitting on, I need to mete out justice to everyone,” she told reporters following a question on her reaction to the statement.

The six directors, who are currently lodged in Alipore Correctional Home are Mr. R.S. Goenka, Mr. Prashant Goenka, Mr. Manish Goenka, Mr. S.K. Todi, Mr. Ravi Todi and Mr. Dayanand Agarwal. The seventh arrested director, Mr. R.S. Agarwal admitted to the SSKM hospital in Kolkata is also under judicial custody.

> abhishek.l@thehindu.co.in

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