The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted interim protection from arrest until February 6 to a 61-year-old woman, Jannat Shikalgar, who owns the land in Pune, Maharashtra, where a candle manufacturing factory fire resulted in the death of 14 people in December 2023.
Justice Sarang Kotwal’s single bench considered Ms. Shikalgar’s plea for pre-arrest bail, directing the prosecution to respond.
Ms. Shikalgar faces charges under sections of the Indian Penal Code related to culpable homicide, negligent conduct in fire incidents, and the Explosives Act. The fire, which occurred after a blast at the sparkling candles manufacturing factory on December 8, 2023, claimed 14 lives. She was named in the FIR along with her husband and the factory owner.
