BMC opposes judicial panel probe into Kamala Mills fire

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday opposed the prayer for setting up a judicial commission to hold and inquiry by a retired judge of the High Court, in the Kamala Mills fire case, in which 13 people lost their lives. The court was hearing a PIL filed by former top cop Julio Ribeiro.

A division bench of Justice R M Borde and Justice Rajesh Ketkar have asked the state government to clear its stand on whether it supports the pray for setting up of commission said “On paper everything is alright, but in practice it is not correct, or-else this incident would not have happened.” This observation followed the statement made by Government pleader Poornima Kantharia that State excise inspector does a regular checking during the day at the eating house and pubs.

However, Advocate Sujay Kantawala appearing for petitioner Julio Ribeiro said “The things of serving liquor and food at these eating house, goes on during late evening, then what use would it be for the inspectors to carry out inspection during the day time.

Senior Advocate Anil Sakhare appearing for the corporation said “At this point there is no need for judicial inquiry because the Municipal Commissioner has himself filed a detailed affidavit and conducted an inquiry into the incident of fire.”

The corporation also opposed the prayer saying that after the incident several action of demolition has been initiated against eating house, pubs for carrying out illegal alteration. The bench is likely to pass and order on Friday on the same.