Kamala Mills dir, 2 others held

Ravi Bhandari, the director of Kamala Mills, a hookah parlour owner and a fire brigade official were arrested on Saturday in connection with the Kamala Mills Compound fire for promoting illegalities. The trio was arrested by the NM Joshi police on Saturday and will be produced in the court on Sunday.

According to police, it was Bhandari's responsibility to obtain permissions and permits related to fire safety. Utkarsh Pandey, who supplied hookahs to 1 Above and Mojo's Bistro, was arrested as Mumbai Fire Brigade's report said the fire was sparked by hookah embers. Fire officer RB Patil was arrested for issuing No Objection Certificates while knowing the illegalities in the construction.

"The fire brigade official gave an NOC despite knowing the illegal developments and fire safety hazards involved," said a police officer. "Bhandari made clear violations by not acquiring several permissions from government agencies before letting out the properties to 1 Above and Mojo's Bistro."

S. Jaykumar, Additional Commissioner of Police, South Region, said, "The accused have been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder among other sections of the Indian Penal Code."