Tilak Nagar fire: Police files case of negligence against 3

Mumbai: The Tilak Nagar police on Friday registered a case of negligence against three persons, including the property developer of Sargam Housing Society, where five persons were killed after a fire broke out on Thursday night. Hence a case has been filed against Hemant Mapara, Shubhak Mapara and Kothari, all partners in Reliance Realtors as per provisions of the Indian Penal Code, following allegations about them failing to get a NOC from the fire department.

Officials said that there have been complaints that the developers did not get clearance before the transfer of flats and hence the fire system was non-functional.  Also the developers had built a wall on the refuge area on the ninth floor and hence the connection to the tower’s B and C wing was blocked. The firefighting system was also not operational.

The police said they are yet to track down the three accused and that the case was registered based on the complaints of the residents of the building. The police have now sought relevant documents from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation  and the fire brigade to ascertain the facts and are probing the matter further.

“We have registered a case of negligence against the developers. We are yet to take them into custody,” said Shahaji Umap, deputy commissioner of police (zone VI).

Following the incessant complaints of alleged negligence, the police recorded statements of the office bearers of the housing society. They have alleged that the fire apparatus was not working, as the developers had not secured a fire brigade clearance, which is one of the vital documents.

The police are also scanning the list of documents of the housing complex to ascertain if all the other permissions were in place. Teams of the Tilak Nagar police station have been formed for probing the incident and to track down the accused.