Kamala Mills fire: Victim's friend files PIL, seeks CBI probe

Garv Sud, a close friend of Prachi Sheth, who lost her life in the Kamala Mill fire last Tuesday, as filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court pleading it to direct the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the matter. Eighteen-year-old Garv Sud has asked the court to name the owners of Kamala Mills compound as accused in the case. He has also pleaded the court to direct the accused to pay compensation towards the loss of lives on that fateful night.

Sud, who is pursuing higher studies in UK, is in India on vacation. Advocate Prakash Wagh, who represents Sud, said, "Our petition has been accepted by the Bombay High court."

Sud's petition said: "The owners of the premises and the operators of the pubs had not taken appropriate steps to ensure the safety of consumers. The pubs just had one entry and one exit door. So when the fire broke out, people had little space to escape. It is also learnt that even the fire extinguisher was not operational. Not only are the operators of the pub responsible for the deaths, but also are the owners and other government authorities who were required to check the fire safety norms."