Kamala Mills fire: BMC informs Bombay HC there is no need for judicial inquiry, says civic body is already probing matter

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) told the Bombay High Court on Thursday that there was no need for judicial inquiry into the fire at two restaurants in Kamala Mills compound last year. [caption id=“attachment_4280769” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] The fire caused heavy damage to property at Kamala Mills. AFP[/caption] The fire at roof-top restaurants 1Above and Mojo’s Bistro claimed 14 lives on 29 December. BMC’s counsel Anil Sakhre on Thursday said the civic body was already conducting a detailed inquiry, and action had been taken against several officials. “Twelve officials from the BMC and fire department have been booked for negligence and a departmental enquiry has also been initiated against them. We are taking all necessary steps. So there is no need for a judicial inquiry,” Sakhre said. He made the submission before a division bench of Justice RM Borde and Justice RG Ketkar which was hearing a PIL filed by former IPS officer Julio Ribeiro, seeking judicial inquiry into the fire. The bench asked the Maharashtra government to state if it was in favour of a judicial inquiry, adjourning the hearing to Friday.