After pub fire, action against illegal structures continues in Mumbai

Illegal constructions and alterations at over 355 establishments were razed in the city on Sunday as the civic body continued to demolish structures at hotels and restaurants, after a blaze at an upscale pub claimed 14 lives on December 29.

The accused people in the case, however, remained untraceable, even as police booked the relatives of two accused for reportedly sheltering them.

With Sunday's demolitions, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has so far razed over 600 structures since the crackdown began, an official of the civic body said.

BMC officials inspected 615 establishments and initiated action against 355 hotels, restaurants and pubs for illegalities on Sunday, said Ram Dotonde, media adviser to the BMC commissioner.

A release from the BMC said 426 LPG cylinders were also seized from various eateries for violation of norms related to their use and storage.

"We want to remove every unauthorised structure at restaurants, pubs, malls, food joints, other eateries and hotels. We are asking the managers and owners of such properties to remove those on their own or else we will bring such structures down," Dotonde said.

A civic body official said some owners sought postponement of action, citing New Year celebrations planned beforehand, but the BMC didn't entertain any excuse.

Two arrested

The police on Sunday arrested two persons for reportedly giving shelter to the owners of the pub, who were booked following the devastating fire at the Kamala Mills compound.

Rakesh Sanghvi and Aditya Sanghvi were subsequently produced in a court, which released them on bail bonds of Rs 25,00O each.

After the fire tragedy at pub 1 Above, police had lodged cases against its owners, Hitesh Sanghvi and Jigar Sanghvi, another co-owner Abhijeet Mankar and others for various offences, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. None of the accused has been arrested as yet.

Rakesh Sanghvi, uncle of Hitesh and Jigar, and their cousin Aditya were arrested on Sunday under IPC section 216 (harbouring an offender).