The B&B facility in Malviya Nagar where a blaze led to the deaths of 23 people.
| Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
Holding that merely operating kitchen appliances as part of his employment could not by itself amount to criminal negligence, a Delhi court on Monday granted bail to Keshar Negi, the head chef arrested in connection with the June 3 fire at the Flourish Stay Bed & Breakfast in Malviya Nagar, in which 23 people, including several foreign nationals, lost their lives.Additional Sessions Judge Samar Vishal of the Saket Courts observed that while the tragedy was of “extreme gravity”, the seriousness of the offence alone could not justify the continued incarceration of the accused. Mr. Negi has been in judicial custody since June 6 and had no criminal antecedents, the court noted.“Merely because the applicant was required, in the ordinary course of his employment, to operate kitchen appliances such as the electric oil fryer, gas stoves and other cooking equipment, it cannot, by itself, lead to an inference that he was criminally negligent or legally responsible for the unfortunate incident,” the court held.Routine tasksIt added that operating such appliances was an integral part of his employment, and doing routine tasks could not be treated as culpable negligence or criminal liability.The court also noted that no material was placed before it to show that Mr. Negi had any responsibility in the building’s structural design, installation or maintenance of the LPG system, fire safety mechanisms, electrical wiring, etc. Nor did he have any say in statutory licences, fire safety clearances, emergency exits, sprinklers, fire alarms or other safety infrastructure.These responsibilities prima facie lie with the owner and the management of the establishment, not with a salaried chef engaged to prepare food.The prosecution had opposed the bail plea, contending that Mr. Negi was not merely a cook but the head chef responsible for operating and supervising kitchen appliances. It relied on witness statements alleging that he had switched on the electric oil fryer and other equipment before the blaze and had earlier been cautioned to exercise due care.‘Cause still not known’The prosecution also argued that the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined through the Forensic Science Laboratory report and that releasing him could hamper the investigation.Allowing the bail application, the court directed the accused to be released on a personal bond of ₹50,000 with one surety of the like amount, subject to conditions including cooperation with the investigation, non-interference with witnesses or evidence, and not leaving the country without prior permission of the trial court. Published - July 28, 2026 01:25 am IST
