MUMBAI BLAZE: OWNER OF PUB ARRESTED
MUMBAI: Police on Saturday arrested Yug Pathak, the son of a retired IPS officer and one of the owners of the Mojo’s Bistro pub, in connection with the deadly fire at the Kamala Mills compound here on December 29, which had claimed 14 lives.
Officials from NM Joshi Marg police station arrested Pathak, the son of retired director general of police and former Pune police commissioner KK Pathak, police said.
In its preliminary probe report on Friday, the Mumbai fire brigade had said the fire possibly started at Mojo’s Bistro due to the flying embers from a hookah.
The police on Saturday booked Pathak and his partner, Nagpurbased businessman Yug Tulli, under IPC sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life and personal safety of others) and other relevant provisions. Police had recorded Pathak’s statement in the case earlier.
The names of Pathak and Tulli were added to the FIR, which was lodged on December 29 against the owners of 1Above — Kripesh Sanghavi, Jigar Sanghavi and Abhijeet Mankar — said a police official. “As of now, we have arrested Pathak, while his partner Tulli has been summoned as he is also wanted in the case,” senior police inspector attached to the NM Joshi Marg police station, Ahmed Pathan, said. “We will produce Pathak before a court soon,” he added.
Earlier, the police had arrested two managers of 1Above in connection with the fire. Police have also announced a reward of ₹1 lakh for any information about the three pub owners on the run.
Meanwhile, opposition parties on Saturday took serious umbrage at BrihanMumbai Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta’s statement that he was under pressure “to go slow” on the probe into the fire.
Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam challenged Mehta to “reveal” and expose the politician who pressurised the civic body, ruled by the Shiv Sena. “Mehta should not talk like a politician; don’t make vague statements. Disclose the names of those who pressurised you to drag the probe,” Nirupam said.
He also asked the BMC chief to declare names of the owners of the 17-18 high-end pubs and bars functioning within the complex.