HC rejects restaurateur Yug Tuli’s bail plea

Mumbai In a major setback to the co-owner of Mojo Bristo restaurant – Yug Tuli, the Bombay High Court on Fridayday rejected his application seeking bail. Tuli has been booked on charges of culpable homicide not amounting murder, due to his gross negligence in complying with the fire safety norms and other regulations.

Tuli along with other accused was booked in January this year after a major fire broke out in his restaurant along with the neighbouring 1Above eatery killing 14 people.

A single-judge bench of Justice Ajay Gadkari rejected Tuli’s bail saying he would pass a detailed order later.

Tuli had moved Justice Gadkari’s bench after seeking no relief from the sessions court, which is seized with the Kamala Mills fire case. In his plea, Tuli blamed the staff of 1 Above restaurant. He also claimed that he was not at all concerned with the regular operations of the hookah parlour in the restaurant. On the other hand, the prosecution represented by special counsel Prakash Shetty vehemently opposed Tuli’s bail plea.

Shetty apprised the court of the fact that Tuli had violated several norms including the illegal operation of a hookah parlour. To substantiate his claims, Shetty also cited the inquiry report prepared by the BMC which concluded that the fire started because of the flying embers emanating from the hookah being served illegally in Tuli’s restaurant.