Ex-Mumbai Police Commissioner files PIL seeking special investigation into Kamala Mills fire
Julio Ribeiro has also sought a fire safety audit of all establishments in the city
Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Julio Ribeiro on Tuesday filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court demanding setting up of a judicial commission to probe the Kamala Mills fire incident, which left 14 dead on December 29.
The 89-year-old has sought the formation of a special team, headed by an officer, not below the rank of ACP, to investigate the alleged criminal offence. So far, accused have been booked on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
“I am deeply aggrieved by the wilful, negligent and neglectful attitude of the officials and owners of the pubs. In the fire that took place at 1 Above and Mojo bistro, a total of 14 people were killed and 50 were injured,” Ribeiro reportedly said in his plea.
“The Petitioner after going through these newspapers and articles was shocked, anguished and surprised at the glaring negligence and deliberate omissions by the public officers/servants in compliance of the various fire safety norms laid down under various acts and issued by appropriate authorities thereby causing the death of 14 innocent people,” the PIL adds.
The former top cop has also sought a fire safety audit of each and every establishment licensed to sell food, beverage, alcohol etc within the BMC’s jurisdiction. The PIL will come up for hearing in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the fire department submitted its report to the Municipal commissioner last week concluding that the Kamala Mills fire started from Mojo’s Bistro and not 1Above as believed earlier.
The cops subsequently arrested Yug Pathak, one of the owners of Mojo’s Bistro, while the other is still at large. The owners of 1Above, despite being vindicated by the inquiry committee’s report, are also absconding.
With PTI inputs
