Hyderabad: Grief, silence linger as Gulzar Houz fire victim’s kin return to charred home to collect belongings

Sonali Agarwal, daughter of noted jeweller Prahlad Modi, revisits tragedy site; family urges State government to ensure to prevent such disasters

Hyderabad: It was a pitiful situation for Sonali Agarwal, daughter of Prahlad Modi, the noted jeweller whose 17 family members were killed in fire tragedy.

A day after the deadly fire, Sonali stood silently in front of the charred remains of the house, trying to control her tears, patiently accepting condolences from friends, neighbours and public representatives.

“We had come to collect some belongings and leave the place. Other works pertaining to the last rites of victims are to be done,” she told reporters.

The police, however, had locked the shutter and did not allow anyone inside the house. The emotionally disturbed family members, were unwilling to interact anymore with the media persons for they felt the issue was covered extensively.

“We have only one thing to say. The State government should ensure that such things do not reoccur. No family should suffer this way,” another family member told media persons.

Decades ago, the family of Prahlad Modi had migrated to Hyderabad from Rajasthan and has been based in Gulzar Houz. Prahlad Modi, his wife Munni and their children and grand children, all died in the fire incident on Sunday.

The family had opened multiple shops in Gulzar Houz and other parts of the city and deal mainly with pearls and gold. The family is well known locally among the businessmen and local residents.

On Monday, a few of the family members visited the Charminar police station to complete the formalities for the legal process. They seen struggling to arrange the photographs of the victims and collect other details from their relatives.

People acquainted with the family kept on dropping in and offering condolences to the family. “We had good personal and business terms with the family for a long time. On coming to know about the incident, we had come to meet the family members and offer our condolences,” said Ajay Agarwal, a businessman from Begum Bazaar.