Uttarakhand CM Dhami Seeks Fair Probe Into Cook’s Arrest Following Deadly Delhi B&B Fire

Pushkar Singh Dhami has intervened in the Malviya Nagar fire investigation, urging Delhi leadership to ensure justice for an Uttarakhand native caught in the legal fallout.

The tragic fire at a Malviya Nagar bed-and-breakfast, which claimed 21 lives last Wednesday, has sparked a political standoff between Uttarakhand and the national capital. At the center of the controversy is the arrest of Keshav Negi, a cook employed at the facility who hails from Uttarakhand. Seeking clarity on the legal proceedings, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a telephonic conversation with Delhi CM Rekha Gupta on Sunday to express concerns regarding the fairness of the ongoing investigation.

Dhami confirmed that he reached out to the Delhi CM to request an impartial inquiry into the incident, specifically highlighting the case of Negi. According to official statements, Gupta responded by assuring the Uttarakhand government that the investigation would rely strictly on factual evidence and that no innocent individual would be subjected to undue hardship or injustice. Dhami expressed his confidence in the Delhi authorities, noting he has full faith that the relevant agencies will bring the truth to light.

Political Backlash and Accountability Concerns

While the two state leaders have opened a line of communication, the arrest of the cook has drawn sharp criticism from within the political arena. Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat took to social media to challenge the narrative surrounding the arrest. Rawat alleged that the focus on a low-level employee appears to be a calculated move to protect influential figures who bear the actual responsibility for the safety lapses that led to the catastrophe.

"This is not just about a young man from Uttarakhand; it is about the fire at the Flourish Stay hotel and those actually accountable," Rawat stated. He questioned the logic of pinning the tragedy on a chef, warning that such actions set a dangerous precedent where management and owners might evade scrutiny. By shifting blame onto staff members, Rawat argued, the investigation risks shielding those who failed to implement necessary fire safety protocols at the facility.

State Support for Migrant Workers

Beyond the administrative and political dimensions of the fire, the incident has highlighted the vulnerabilities of the migrant workforce. Following his dialogue with the Delhi leadership, CM Dhami spoke directly with Kanishka Negi, the daughter of the arrested cook, to provide assurance of state support. He emphasized that his administration remains committed to standing "shoulder to shoulder" with the migrant community from the state residing across the country.

As the investigation progresses, the pressure to identify the genuine culprits grows. While the Delhi government maintains that the probe is being handled with professional rigor, the scrutiny from Uttarakhand leadership and opposition figures underscores the high stakes involved in the Malviya Nagar case. With 21 lives lost, the demand for accountability remains a focal point for both state governments, ensuring that the final findings will be subject to intense public and political observation.