Dhami speaks to Delhi CM over Garhwali cook’s arrest in Malviya Nagar fire case

Dehradun: Uttarakhand chief minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken up the issue of the arrest of a 65-year-old cook from Garhwal in connection with the recent Malviya Nagar fire tragedy in Delhi, seeking a fair and impartial investigation into the case.In a statement issued on Sunday, Dhami said he had spoken to Delhi CM Rekha Gupta regarding the arrest of Keshav Negi, who worked at Flourish Stay B&B, where the fire broke out. He said Gupta assured him that “no innocent person would be subjected to injustice” and that “the investigation would be conducted strictly on the basis of facts and evidence”.Dhami said he was confident that the Delhi govt and investigating agencies would uncover the truth through a transparent and unbiased probe. He also spoke to Negi’s daughter, Kanishka Negi, and assured the family of all possible assistance. “The Uttarakhand govt stands firmly with residents of the state living and working across the country,” Dhami added.Negi’s arrest has sparked debate in Uttarakhand, with many questioning whether responsibility for the tragedy should rest primarily on an employee. Some have argued that accountability should also extend to the establishment’s owners, management and officials responsible for ensuring compliance with fire safety norms.The fire broke out on June 3, claiming 21 lives, including those of 13 foreign nationals, and injuring several others. Police subsequently arrested restaurant owner Lavkesh Bajaj and Negi, who worked as a cook at the establishment. Police sources said the initial investigation indicated that the fire spread rapidly due to Negi’s alleged negligence. Investigators also claimed to have found multiple safety violations and serious deficiencies in the building’s fire safety infrastructure.