Bombay High Court Orders Compensation for Fire Victims' Families
In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court has mandated the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to pay ₹50 lakh each to the families of eight victims who lost their lives in a hotel fire in Kurla back in 2015. The court criticized the BMC for its failure to act against illegal operations at the Kinara Hotel, which ultimately led to the tragic incident. The judges emphasized that the BMC's negligence was a direct cause of the fire, violating the victims' right to life. This decision underscores the importance of accountability in municipal governance and the need for strict adherence to safety regulations.
| Jun 11, 2025, 16:57 IST
Court's Ruling on BMC's Negligence
The Bombay High Court has highlighted significant failures in duty by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), ordering them to pay ₹50 lakh each to the families of eight victims who perished in a hotel fire in Kurla in 2015. The court noted that the BMC's inaction allowed illegal activities at the Kinara Hotel to continue unchecked, ultimately leading to the tragic fire that resulted in loss of life. The incident occurred on October 16, 2015, claiming the lives of eight individuals, including seven students aged between 18 and 20, and a 31-year-old design engineer from Virar.
Background of the Case
The High Court was addressing petitions filed by the victims' parents, who sought to annul a February 2017 order from the Lokayukta that dismissed their request for an investigation. The Lokayukta had previously awarded ₹1 lakh to each family, but the families argued for an increase in the compensation amount.
Court's Observations on BMC's Accountability
Justices B.P. Colabawalla and Firdous Pooniwala expressed astonishment that the BMC was aware of the hotel's lack of necessary fire department approvals yet failed to take any action. The court stated that had the BMC acted promptly, the fire incident could have been avoided. They emphasized that the negligence and violation of legal duties by the BMC were direct causes of the fire, making the civic body accountable for the actions and omissions of its officials. The court concluded that the loss of eight lives constituted a severe infringement of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.