Kamala mills fire: Robeiro moves High Court seeking probe 

Kamala mills fire: Robeiro moves High Court seeking probe 

Context

Former city Commissioner of Police Julio F. Riberio moved the Bombay High Court on Tuesday, seeking a comprehensive fire safety audit, a special investigation team (SIT) and a judicial commission to fix accountability for the loss of 14 lives in the recent fire at two restaurants in Kamala Mills

PIL seeks fire safety audit of all eateries, bars, a judicial probe into mishap

• His PIL claims the “BMC was in complete knowledge of the illegalities and flouting of norms by the licensee and licensor at – 1Above and Mojo’s Bistro.”
• It mentions how the “BMC chief has frankly admitted that there was immense pressure from the powerful persons to ‘not take action against certain officials’, and that there were people who were insistent that no action should be taken against them”
• The PIL points out that neither restaurant had fire safety equipment.

Comprehensive fire safety audit

• Among other requests, Mr.Riberio has sought a direction from the court to the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) to conduct a comprehensive fire safety audit of all eateries, lounges, bas and pubs.
• He wants the Urban Development Department to depute an officer in all civic wards to aid the CFO in conducting a comprehensive ward-wise fire safety audit, and submit a report to the court in a time-bound manner.
• Alternate relief through a judicial commission that will fix accountability of public officers and private individuals, which will submit a report to the court.
• The PIL also sought the constitution of an SIT comprising IPS officers not below the rank of Additional CP (Crime) to continue with the investigation into the Kamala Mills fire

Backdrop

On December 29, a fire broke out after midnight at restaurant 1Above and Mojo’s Bistro next to it. Dozens of patrons were trapped in them as smoke filled the narrow entrances. While most made it safely to the lanes outside, 14 people lost their lives, sparking widespread outrage over alleged violation of fire safety norms by the eateries