Kamala Mills fire a result of BMC’s failure, says HC

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Monday said the December 29 Kamala Mills compound fire that killed 14 people was a result of the civic administration’s failure to ensure compliance with municipal rules and regulations. The court said the fire shocked its conscience and also turned out to be an eye opener.

“The fire incident is a result of the failure of the civic administration in ensuring strict adherence to regulations and conditions imposed on such eating houses, bars and pubs,” said the division bench of justice RM Borde and justice Rajesh Ketkar.

“The unfortunate incident has shocked our conscience,” said the bench, adding, “It is high time the BMC sets its house in order,” the bench. It also tried to impress upon the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation that it must put in place a mechanism to ensure fire safety norms and license conditions imposed on commercial establishments are scrupulously adhered to.

It was hearing a PIL filed by former IPS officer Julio Ribeiro, seeking judicial inquiry into the incident and also a direction to the government and civic body to carry out fire safety audit of all eateries and restaurants. Ribeiro’s lawyer said the initial report of the Mumbai fire brigade exposed illegal alterations and additions inside Kamala Mills.