20.07.2026 22:30
There has been a new development in the case regarding the Grand Kartal Hotel fire, which claimed 78 lives. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security's decision to grant investigation permission for only one of the officials primarily held responsible in the expert report has once again been blocked by the Council of State. The First Chamber of the Council of State annulled the ministry's decision for a second time.
The Council of State's First Chamber has made a striking decision in the legal process regarding the Grand Kartal Hotel fire, which plunged Türkiye into mourning and claimed 78 lives.
EXPERT REPORT HAD FOUND THE MINISTRY PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE
In expert reports, officials of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security were found "primarily responsible" on the grounds that inspections were not carried out on time and in accordance with procedures.
Despite the expert findings, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security only granted permission for an investigation into Cemal C. A., former Ankara Guidance and Inspection Group President and Chief Labour Inspector.
Upon an objection to this decision, the Council of State's First Chamber, reviewing the file in September 2025, overturned the decision due to incomplete investigation.
In its annulment decision, the Council of State requested that all ministry public officials who may have responsibility in the incident be identified by their titles, their statements be taken, and whether there were any duty failures be thoroughly investigated.
THE MINISTRY DID NOT CHANGE ITS DECISION
The Ministry, which initiated a new preliminary review following the Council of State's warning, did not change its stance as a result of the second review. In the assessment, it was claimed that "no negligence, fault, intent, or negligent act giving rise to responsibility was found in any other ministry official" apart from the named inspector, and investigation permission was again granted for only one person.
THE COUNCIL OF STATE OVERTURNED THE DECISION FOR THE SECOND TIME
Following this stance from the Ministry, the file came before the Council of State's First Chamber once again. The Council of State, emphasizing that the Ministry had not addressed the deficiencies in the initial decision, annulled the investigation permission decision for the second time and sent the file back to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
In its definitive directive, the Council of State's First Chamber highlighted the following points:
- All Ministry officials who may have responsibility in the fire must be identified one by one with their names and titles,
- Their statements must be taken in the capacity of suspects,
- It must be established beyond any doubt whether they acted contrary to the requirements of their duties,
- Following all these processes, a new reasoned decision must be made on whether to grant investigation permission.