Cops find it hard to find ‘Make in India’ fire offenders

Almost two months after a huge fire gutted a ‘Make in India’ event, the police is finding it difficult to find the offenders. Constant passing the buck and contradictory statements by the event organisers have made it impossible for the police to fix criminal responsibility on one person.

On February 14, as part of the ‘Make in India’ week, a cultural event was held at Girgaum Chowpatty. During the programme, a massive fire broke out causing dignitaries including the chief minister and the audience to be evacuated and the programme being called off. Soon after, the police registered a case against organisers Wizcraft International Entertainment Private Ltd for alleged negligence.

But nearly two months later, not a single person has been booked over the incident.

“We have till now recorded statements of over 20 people including those from the organising agency. All kept holding each other responsible and had the same answer that they had instructed someone else in the team to remove the combustible material kept below the podium,” said an officer from the DB Marg police station. He added that while workers claim that they had completed all the tasks handed over to them, the organisers in turn allege they did not heed all the instructions.

The police had registered an FIR based on a report submitted by BMC, which was investigating the events that led to the fire. The 185-page report stated that during a final check, officials of the fire brigade and BMC had noticed combustible and hazardous material stored under the stage where the event would commence.