Pune: Bombay High Court Grants Interim Protection in Talwade Factory Fire Case Which Claimed Lives Of 14 Workers

Pimpri Chinchwad, 12th January 2024: The Bombay High Court has granted interim protection from arrest to Jannat Najir Shikalgar until February 6 in connection with the candle factory fire that claimed the lives of 14 people. Shikalgar, the landowner of the candle-making unit, had been booked by the Dehu Road police in Pimpri-Chinchwad under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Explosives Act.

The tragic fire incident occurred on December 8, 2023, at a sparkling candle manufacturing unit in Jyotiba Nagar, Talawade. A fire at Rana Industries claimed 6 lives on the spot and left 10 critically injured at that time. Some of them died afterwards. The incident, during the unofficial manufacturing of sparkles, raised concerns about safety measures.

The court’s decision to provide interim protection came after a petition was filed by Shikalgar through her advocate Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh. The petition emphasized that she had leased the land for engineering purposes, and the licensee was not permitted to engage in any illegal business. Shikalgar asserted that responsibility for any lapse by the licensee leading to the offence should not be placed on her.

Shikalgar also cited her health conditions, including paralysis and suspected tuberculosis, as reasons to avoid custodial interrogation In response to the petition, the state requested time to verify the required licenses for the business and assess Shikalgar’s medical condition.

Despite this, the court found it appropriate to grant ad-interim relief until February 6. If arrested, Shikalgar will be released on bail upon executing a Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond of ₹30,000/- with one or two sureties in a similar amount. Further investigations into the case are expected to continue.