Police yet to receive civic body's report on Kamala Mills fire probe

Mumbai: A day after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) submitted its probe report into the Kamala Mills fire tragedy, the Mumbai police said that they are yet to receive a copy of it.  They said that once they receive it, they would study it diligently and seek legal opinion on the appropriate action to be taken. Mumbai police spokesperson, Deepak Deoraj said, “We have been firm that legal procedure will be followed in the probe, and so far we are doing so. As of now, no BMC official has been booked in the Kamala Mills fire case.”

The BMC chief Ajoy Mehta’s probe report on the tragedy, which he submitted to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, demands that criminal action be taken against the owner of the premises, the owners of the two restaurants, Mojo’s Bistro  and 1 Above, as well as the architect and the interior decorator who carried out the unauthorised work.  When the Mumbai police spokesperson was asked about when the arrests will take place, he said, “We are yet to receive the probe report from the BMC department.” DCP Deoraj added, “As soon as we get the report in hand, we will seek a legal opinion on the contents, suggestions and allegations, and then take appropriate action against the accused person/s.”

When contacted, Deven Bharati, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), refused to comment.

The BMC report highlights the fact that there was a violation with additional FSI being given to the mill owner as per the IT policy and notification of Government of Maharashtra (GOM). The extra built up area was given for IT purposes and only 20 per cent was for commercial use. However, the mill owner has over used it for commercial purposes, claims the report.