A division bench of justices V M Kanade and Revati Mohite Dhere said, "Don't take this as an adversarial litigation. If you have not formed a policy, then it is high time that you do it know. The chowpatty fire is just an example.
The Bombay High Court has asked the state government to place on record within two weeks, its policy or code of guidelines, if framed, for safety of artistes performing at public functions. It followed the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by an NGO, after a fire broke out on a stage at the Maharashtra Cultural Night function held under the aegis of the Make In India week.
A division bench of justices V M Kanade and Revati Mohite Dhere said, "Don't take this as an adversarial litigation. If you have not formed a policy, then it is high time that you do it know. The chowpatty fire is just an example.
Fortunately, there were no casualties because of prior efforts taken."
Advocates Jamshed Mistry and Dipesh Siroya, appearing for the NGO Association for Aiding Justice, said, "All those working on a production or at an event should be given sufficient information to enable them to perform their job safely."
The petition further stated, "Irrespective of the duration of their engagement period, all those working on a production or an event must be given an induction at each work site. It must include information relevant to the event or production. Key issues to be discussed should include, relevant site layout including location of safe access and egress points, facilities and amenities, personal and protective equipment, first aid and emergency equipment, material safety data sheets for any relevant hazardous substances, emergency and evacuation procedures and relevant personnel, and crucial workplace-specific procedures, including relevant manual handling issues."
The PIL prayed for directions to the authorities to frame guidelines for safety and health of stuntmen, technicians and other professional cine artistes working in the entertainment industry. The fire at the Giragaum chowpatty broke out while a Lavani dance performance was under way. More than 100 VIPs and 25,000 people were present in the venue at the time.
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