Bouncers sent guests to loo: Defence

Mumbai:The defence lawyer of an accused in the December 2017 Kamala Mills fire case on Monday argued before the court that the bouncers at the resto-pub 1 Above, which had got gutted in the incident, had asked the guests not to leave washroom and only those who were inside the loo died due to suffocation, none died due to burn injuries.

The court was hearing arguments on bail applications filed by eight accused in the case and arguments of all the applicants were almost over on Monday. The prosecution will file reply to the bail application on Tuesday after which the court would pass order on all the applications.

Most of the accused focussed on the point that section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) was not applicable on this case and at the most prosecution can apply section 304 (A) (causing death by negligence).

Though lawyer of Lisbon Lopez argued before the court that his salary slip shows his designation as food and beverage manager and he had only completed two months of his probation period so he should be granted bail. He had also argued that he had tried his level best to help people save their lives.

All the other accused also contended that the major part of the investigation in the case was over and no purpose will be served by keeping them in custody and they are ready to abide by the conditions imposed by the court.

After hearing arguments judge A.L. Yawalkar said that he would hear arguments of public prosecutor on Tuesday and then decide on passing order on the bail applications.

Fourteen people had died and several others were injured when a massive fire broke out at two high profile open terrace pubs i.e. Mojo’s Bistro and 1 Above on December 29, last year.