Kamala Mills tragedy: BMC blames restaurants, MCGM, but not itself
A report by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on the Kamala Mills tragedy has more or less corroborated earlier findings. It concluded the fire at Mojo's Bistro was caused by charcoal used in hookahs, which spread to 1Above which had highly combustible substances in its premises. It blamed restaurant owners, architects, interior designers, officials of the MCGM and others... everyone except itself.
The Kamala Mills tragedy
On December 29, a massive fire at a rooftop restaurant in Kamala Mills left 14 dead and several injured. Many victims were attending the birthday party of a 28-year-old woman, who also died. Initially, the fire was suspected to have begun at 1Above and then spread to the Mojo's and London Taxi Gastro Pub. Around 150 people were in the building at the time.
What does the BMC have to say about it?
According to BMC, the restaurants were involved in illegal services, there was negligence by owners and staff, and miscalculations by architects and designers. The Kamala Mills owners, who allowed unauthorized use of the terraces, are equally to blame, it said. BMC also recommended "full-fledged departmental inquiries" against 10 officials of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), which has already suspended five employees.
The BMC had drawn the most criticism, even from HC
Interestingly, it was the BMC which had faced most of the flak for the mishap for not acting against the establishments despite several violations. Congress had demanded culpable homicide charges against BMC chief Ajoy Mehta, saying he was responsible for the deaths of 14 people. The Bombay HC had also pulled up the body, saying, "It's time the BMC keeps its house in order."
All five restaurant owners arrested, probe ongoing
By now, police have arrested all three owners of 1Above. Earlier, managers Kevin Bava and Lisbon Lopez were held and questioned. Yug Pathak, co-owner of Mojo's Bistro, was held soon after. His co-owner Yug Tuli was nabbed after several days on the run. Hotelier Vishal Kariya was arrested for sheltering the 1Above owners. Cops have recorded statements of over 70 witnesses.
