Bombay HC questions Maharashtra on safety guidelines after Make in India fire

The Bombay High Court, hearing a PIL on Wednesday, after the fire at a Make in India event at Girgaum Chowpatty on Sunday, asked the state to frame comprehensive guidelines to ensure the safety of artistes and technicians on stage, and also of the audience.

Several audience members and artistes were evacuated by the cops and fire brigade after the fire broke out

"Were the safety guidelines followed for the safety of audience, technicians and artists at the Make In India Event at Girgaum Chowpatty?" asked the HC, hearing a petition filed by the Association For Aiding Justice. Justice V M Kanade asked the government to file an affidavit in two weeks stating whether such guidelines or policy existed.

When the fire broke out, several audience members and artistes were evacuated by the cops and fire brigade from the venue to safer places.

The HC's bench of Justices Vidyasagar Kanade and Revati Mohite Dere heard the petition. "We don't want to pass any adverse order, but want to check if there are any such safety guidelines for such big events. If they are not in place we will discuss and form such rules," said Kanade.

Advocate Pradeep Havnur told the court that all over the world for such big events, there were various safety standards, but in India they were not followed by organisers.

The court was also told by advocates Jamshed Mistry and Dipesh Siroya, that the fire at the prestigious event had brought shame to the country, as many artistes were present on the dais when the fire took place, and they did not know how to escape.

The petition demanded that all those working on a production (set) or at an event should be given information to enable them to perform their job safely.

The Bombay High court had rejected permission to the state to carry out the gala event at Girgaum chowpatty, but the state had approached the Supreme Court and had taken permission for the event.

- With inputs from Agencies