Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Nearly six years after a devastating fire at a paying guest (PG) accommodation in Chandigarh’s Sector 32 claimed the lives of three students, a district court has cleared the way for trial proceedings by framing charges against the property owner and the PG operator.
The court has framed charges under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (causing death by negligence) against bungalow owner Gaurav Aneja and PG operator Nitesh Bansal. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for October 27.
The tragic incident occurred in February 2020 when a fire broke out at the PG accommodation. Three students Riya, Paathi and Muskaan died of suffocation after being trapped inside their rooms, while two other students suffered serious burn injuries.
Police had initially registered a case under IPC Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). However, the accused challenged the charges in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, arguing that the offence did not amount to culpable homicide. The High Court later directed that the case be tried under Section 304A and transferred it to a magistrate court for further proceedings.
According to allegations, several rooms in the PG had been constructed illegally using wooden and fibre partitions, which allowed the fire to spread rapidly and prevented residents from escaping. With charges now framed, the court will begin regular hearings based on witness testimonies and evidence.
