Pilibhit Restaurant Arson: Dismissed Employee Booked for Setting Fire After Job Loss
In a disturbing incident in Pilibhit, a 35-year-old man has been booked by police for allegedly setting fire to a restaurant at the city centre. The accused, identified as Sanjeev Kumar, a resident of Ekta Nagar Colony in Pilibhit city, was charged following a complaint filed by the restaurant owner.
Details of the Restaurant Arson Case
The incident occurred around midnight on March 14 when the restaurant owner, Robin Mishra of Sungarhi locality, was closing the establishment for the day. According to the police complaint, Kumar, who had recently been dismissed from his job at the restaurant due to alleged alcoholism and misbehaviour with customers, entered the premises in an inebriated state.
Police reports indicate that Kumar poured petrol on sofa sets and deliberately set them on fire. The blaze quickly spread throughout the restaurant, destroying furniture, electrical appliances, and substantial food and beverage stock. The accused fled the spot after allegedly threatening the owner with further consequences.
Legal Action Under New BNS Provisions
Satyendra Kumar, the Station House Officer of Pilibhit Kotwali police station, confirmed that a case has been registered against the accused under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include:
- Section 326(f) for mischief by fire or explosive substance
- Section 352 for intentional insult
- Section 351(2) for criminal intimidation
This case represents one of the early applications of the new BNS provisions in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the serious legal consequences for such destructive acts.
Separate House Fire Incident in Khushimal Locality
In an unrelated incident on Monday afternoon, a fire broke out at the house of Jumma Ansari in the Khushimal locality of Pilibhit. The fire occurred while family members were preparing namkeen on a wood-fired furnace for commercial sale.
Officials including CO city Deepak Chaturvedi, chief fire officer Anurag Singh, and SHO Sungarhi Naresh Tyagi responded promptly to the emergency. They reached the spot with fire tenders and managed to bring the blaze under control after more than an hour of intense firefighting efforts.
Investigation Reveals Safety Violations
During the inspection following the house fire, police made a concerning discovery. They found four filled domestic LPG cylinders stored in the house, raising questions about potential safety violations. The district supply office immediately dispatched a team to verify the authenticity and intended use of these cylinders.
District supply officer Vikas Kumar stated, "Action would be taken under the Essential Commodities Act if the LPG cylinders were found to be stored for black marketing." This investigation highlights the ongoing concerns about illegal storage and distribution of essential commodities in the region.
Cause of the House Fire Determined
Police investigation into the house fire revealed that sparks from the wood furnace ignited a nearby polythene-sheet shed. The fire then spread to an edible oil container, triggering a larger blaze that threatened the entire household. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in this incident, though household goods sustained significant damage.
These back-to-back fire incidents in Pilibhit have raised concerns about public safety and enforcement of fire prevention measures in both commercial and residential settings. The restaurant arson case particularly underscores the potential consequences of employment disputes escalating into criminal acts, while the house fire highlights the risks associated with commercial food preparation in residential areas without proper safety protocols.
