Kolkata, Jan 16 (IANS) An AMRI Hospital director, arrested in the Dec 9 fire in the high-cost health facility that left 94 dead, was Monday denied bail and his stay at a government hospital where he is currently admitted was extended till Jan 30.

Alipore Chief Judicial Magistrate C.H. Karim rejected R.S. Agarwal’s bail plea and ordered the state-run SSKM Hospital to make necessary arrangements for his stay there and to present him before the court Jan 30.

Earlier in the day, pressing for bail, Agarwal’s counsel said that he was suffering from various ailments including cardiac and psychiatric disorders that required specialised treatment which was not available at the SSKM, and as such he should be released on bail so that proper treatment could be provided to him.

Counsel also prayed for a separate cabin and home cooked food in case he was denied bail and continued to be confined to the hospital.

“As he is kept in a general ward, he is vulnerable to infections which can be fatal. Further, he has been nearly starving as he cannot take food which contains onions or garlic as he is a Jain, so he be allowed to take home cooked food,” contended the defence counsel.

The court rejected his plea and said it was the discretion of the hospital authorities to decide what kind of ward or food is suitable for him and the court has “no intention to interfere” in this regard.

The prosecution had opposed the bail plea and, stating that Agarwal’s physical condition was stable, urged the court he be sent to a correctional home.

The director’s bail plea was also rejected by a court earlier Jan 13.

Six other directors and two management staff are already behind bars in connection with the Dec 9 blaze. The trade licence of the hospital in south Kolkata’s Dhakuria has been cancelled following the country’s worst fire tragedy in a hospital.

Three other directors evading arrest have been declared proclaimed offenders by the court.