New Delhi, July 27 -- Saket Court on Monday granted bail to Kesar Negi, a cook arrested in connection with the Malviya Nagar hotel fire tragedy that claimed the lives of 22 people, including 13 foreign nationals, on June 3.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Samar Vishal granted bail to Negi on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of the same amount. He had been in custody since June 6.

"Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, I am of the considered opinion that the prosecution has not been able to demonstrate any compelling necessity for the continued custodial detention of the applicant. The interests of justice can be adequately safeguarded by imposing appropriate conditions while enlarging him on bail," sa...