Seven-year-old waits for bodies of parents, little brother after Kolkata hotel fire

The fire in Kolkata did not just take away a family – it also robbed seven-year-old Mahima of her childhood.

Her father, Debashish Dutta, had promised to return home with new clothes, chocolates and toys. On Tuesday night, before going to bed, he showed Mahima the things he had bought for her during their final video call. He told her they would return to Bangladesh on Wednesday.

But a devastating fire at a hotel in Kolkata brought that wait to a tragic end. Instead of waiting for chocolates and toys, little Mahima is now waiting for the bodies of her parents and younger brother.

Family members had expected the bodies to arrive home today (20 August) after all formalities were completed in Kolkata. But the procedures have taken longer than expected. The bodies are now likely to reach home tomorrow, according to relatives.

For Mahima, the hardest wait seems to have no end. For hours, she sits staring at photographs of her parents and little brother hanging on the wall.

On Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of people had gathered outside Debashish Dutta's rented home in Aruapara, Kushtia town. The cries of grieving relatives could be heard from inside.

In one room, Mahima sat silently among several of her schoolmates, staring at photographs of her parents on the wall. The seven-year-old appeared unable to fully comprehend the devastating loss that had befallen her.

Elsewhere, Debashish's mother, Swapna Dutta, clutched photographs of her only son, daughter-in-law and grandson and wailed in grief. His father, Dilip Kumar Dutta, was overcome with shock. Relatives tried to console Swapna, but her cries did not stop.

Journalist Debashish Dutta, 40, his wife Afsana Sharmin, their three-year-old son Swarnashish Dutta and Afsana's father Akram Ali were killed in the devastating Kolkata hotel fire.

Debashish was the family's sole breadwinner. His death has left his elderly parents and young Mahima facing deep uncertainty about their future.

"I am a heart patient. I suffered a stroke a few days ago. I need Tk10,000-12,000 worth of medicines every month. Debashish used to pay our rent, support the family and cover our medical expenses. Who will look after us now? Who will pay the rent and the cost of our medicines? Who will pay for Mahima's education? I have been left completely destitute," said Dilip Kumar Dutta.

Debashish travelled to India for treatment of his wife and son

Relatives said Afsana Sharmin suffered from a condition involving the breakdown of blood cells, while their three-year-old son Swarnashish had a speech impediment. Her father, Akram Ali, also suffered from various age-related illnesses.

Seeking better medical treatment for them, Debashish travelled to Bengaluru with his family on 3 August, leaving seven-year-old Mahima in Bangladesh with her grandparents.

After spending 16 days undergoing treatment at Narayana Hospital in Bengaluru, the family returned to Kolkata on Tuesday, 18 August. Although they had planned to return to Bangladesh, Debashish stayed an extra day in Kolkata to buy things for his daughter.

The family checked into the Shikha Inn Hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in the New Market area. The fire broke out at the hotel that night.

Police said 60 people were rescued from the hotel. Nine were unconscious and were later declared dead at hospital. Seven of the nine victims were Bangladeshi nationals, four of them members of Debashish's family.

Debashish and Afsana's love story

Debashish and Afsana began their married life with love. They married around nine years ago. Although they belonged to different religions, their relationship did not stand in the way of building a family together.

Their small world revolved around their two children, Mahima and Swarnashish.

Now, all the dreams they built together have been destroyed in a devastating fire. Having lost her parents and younger brother, seven-year-old Mahima now faces an uncertain future.

Debashish Dutta worked as the Kushtia correspondent for Ajker Patrika and Channel Nine. He was also acting editor of the local daily Ajker Alo. Previously, he had worked as a Kushtia correspondent for several national media outlets, including Asian Television and Nagorik TV.

Brother-in-law survived by returning a day earlier

Debashish's brother-in-law, Mitu, travelled to India with him on 3 August for medical treatment. They returned to Kolkata together on Tuesday after completing the treatment.

While Debashish checked into the hotel with his family, Mitu returned to Bangladesh that same day because of business commitments. His decision to return a day earlier ultimately saved his life.