Fire in shopping complex : HC dismisses owners' bail plea

Chennai, Sep, 19 , (UNI) Principal Sessions Court, Chennai, today dismissed the bail petitions by the three owners of the popular shopping complex Saravana Stores, which was badly damaged in a fire mishap on September 1, claiming one life.

While dismissing the bail petitions filed by the owners of the shopping complex S Yogarathinam, S Rajarathinam and Shanmugadurai, Principal Sessions Judge P Devadoss said it was premature at this stage to grant bail to the petitioners as police investigation has not yet been completed.

In their petition, the three petitioners submitted that they apprehended the fire could have been due to sabotage. This angle has to be investigated by the police thoroughly, they contended.

They also submitted that they had not committed any offence, much less culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

They also submitted that even if it is proved that the mishap was due to negligence and it was due to this that the casualty was caused, the offence would come under Section 304 A-rash and negligent act, of IPC and not under 304-culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

They said the defacto complainant, Selva, an employee of the shop, himself has been made an accused in the case. He along with another employee Jeba Singh has been in jail since September 3.

UNI XR VV RL PM1415