Fast Food Chain Employees Arrested After Kolkata Warehouse Fire
Employees arrested for negligence after Kolkata warehouse fire killed 25, raising safety concerns.
Photo by zibik
Key Facts
Incident: Kolkata warehouse fire
Date: January 26, 2026
Deaths: At least 25
Arrests: Two Wow! Momo employees
Ex gratia: ₹2 lakh for deceased's kin
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & Social Sector initiatives
GS Paper III: Disaster Management
Connects to fundamental rights (Article 21 - Right to Life and Personal Liberty)
Potential questions on legal liability, disaster management, and worker safety
Visual Insights
Location of Wow! Momo Warehouse Fire
Map showing the location of the Wow! Momo warehouse in Anandapur, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, where the fire incident occurred.
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More Information
Background
The legal framework surrounding workplace safety in India has evolved significantly since the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984, a watershed event that exposed the inadequacy of existing laws. Prior to this, the Factories Act of 1948 was the primary legislation, focusing mainly on worker health and safety within factory premises. The tragedy prompted amendments to the Factories Act in 1987, introducing provisions for hazardous processes, worker participation in safety management, and stricter penalties for violations.
However, these amendments primarily addressed manufacturing industries, leaving gaps in addressing safety concerns in other sectors like food service and warehousing. The concept of 'negligence' under Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been a long-standing legal principle, but its application to workplace accidents has often been challenging due to difficulties in establishing direct causation and intent.
Latest Developments
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on occupational safety and health (OSH) in India, driven by increasing industrialization and a greater awareness of worker rights. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, aims to consolidate and modernize existing labor laws, including those related to safety. However, its implementation has been delayed and faces challenges related to enforcement and compliance, particularly in the unorganized sector.
There's also a rising trend of public interest litigations (PILs) seeking accountability for industrial accidents and demanding stricter safety regulations. Furthermore, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has been actively involved in developing guidelines and protocols for fire safety and emergency response in various industries, including warehousing and logistics.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020: 1. It consolidates and amends the laws regulating the occupational safety, health and working conditions of persons employed in an establishment. 2. It mandates the formation of safety committees in all establishments, regardless of the number of employees. 3. It excludes the unorganized sector from its purview, focusing primarily on organized industries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is CORRECT: The OSH Code, 2020 aims to consolidate and amend laws related to occupational safety, health, and working conditions. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The Code specifies the formation of safety committees based on the number of employees and the type of industry, not mandating it for ALL establishments. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The Code extends to the unorganized sector as well, although enforcement may be challenging.
2. In the context of industrial accidents and legal liability in India, Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with:
- A.Murder
- B.Culpable homicide not amounting to murder
- C.Causing death by negligence
- D.Grievous hurt
Show Answer
Answer: C
Section 304A of the IPC specifically addresses 'causing death by negligence'. It prescribes punishment for individuals who cause death due to rash or negligent acts not amounting to culpable homicide. The other sections relate to more serious offenses with higher degrees of intent or knowledge.
3. Which of the following is NOT a key objective of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)?
- A.Laying down policies on disaster management
- B.Approving the National Disaster Management Plan
- C.Providing financial assistance to victims of disasters directly
- D.Ensuring measures are taken by ministries and departments for disaster risk reduction
Show Answer
Answer: C
The NDMA is primarily responsible for laying down policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management. While it plays a crucial role in coordinating disaster response, the direct provision of financial assistance to victims is typically handled by other agencies at the state and district levels. NDMA focuses on strategic planning and capacity building.