Politics – Uttarakhand Leaders Demand Fair Inquiry in Delhi Hotel Fire Case
Politics – The arrest of a chef from Uttarakhand in connection with the deadly hotel fire in South Delhi has sparked a major political debate, with leaders from different parties raising concerns about whether a junior employee is being unfairly held responsible for the tragedy.
Chief Minister Seeks Fair Investigation
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has intervened in the matter and held discussions with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta regarding the arrest of Keshav Negi. Dhami emphasized the need for an impartial investigation and urged authorities to ensure that justice is based solely on verified evidence and facts.
According to government sources, Gupta assured him that the inquiry would be conducted transparently and that no innocent individual would be subjected to wrongful action during the investigation process.
Support Extended to Negi’s Family
The Uttarakhand Chief Minister also spoke with Negi’s daughter, Kanishka Negi, to express support for the family. He assured her that all possible assistance would be provided and reiterated the state government’s commitment to helping Uttarakhand residents living and working across the country.
The development has drawn significant attention in the hill state, where concerns have been raised over the treatment of migrant workers employed in major cities.
BJP Leaders Question Arrest
Several senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party have also voiced concern over the handling of the case. Garhwal Member of Parliament Anil Baluni stated that he had spoken directly with the Delhi Police Commissioner and conveyed dissatisfaction regarding certain aspects of the investigation.
Baluni said legal support would be made available to Negi and added that police authorities had assured him of a fair and unbiased probe. He further noted that he remained in regular contact with officials monitoring the case.
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Haridwar MP Trivendra Singh Rawat echoed similar concerns. He said discussions had been held with senior police officials to ensure that the investigation remains transparent and comprehensive so that responsibility is fixed on the basis of evidence rather than assumptions.
Congress Also Backs Demand for Accountability
The issue has united leaders across political lines. Senior Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat argued that the focus of the investigation should be on identifying those directly responsible for managing and operating the establishment where the fire occurred.
Rawat questioned whether a chef should be treated as a primary accused while those responsible for ownership and overall management remain under scrutiny. He stressed that accountability should be determined according to actual roles and responsibilities within the hotel’s operational structure.
His remarks reflected a broader demand for clarity regarding who should bear responsibility for safety failures that may have contributed to the disaster.
Death Toll Rises Following Fatal Fire
Meanwhile, authorities confirmed that the death toll from the fire at Flourish Stay B&B in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar has increased to 22. A foreign national who had been receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the incident later succumbed, according to police officials.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday morning and initially claimed 21 lives, making it one of the city’s most serious fire incidents in recent months.
Police have arrested hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj along with chef Keshav Negi as part of the ongoing investigation. Officials stated that the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined and that conclusions will be drawn after the forensic examination report is received.
As investigations continue, political leaders and family members are closely watching developments while demanding a thorough examination of all factors linked to the tragedy.