Mumbai Congress president alleges nexus between chief minister, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta and owner of Mojo's Bistro, where a fire erupted last month
Sanjay Nirupam said Ajoy Mehta was responsible for the deaths, because he was hand in glove with corrupt BMC officials and had approved illegal construction. File pic
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Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam has alleged a nexus between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, a BJP legislator, Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta and owner of Mojo's Bistro, where a devastating fire killed 14 patrons last month. He has demanded that either Mehta resign immediately or be sacked.
Nirupam said Mehta was responsible for the deaths, because he was hand in glove with corrupt BMC officials and had approved illegal construction not only in Mojo's, but also in the gaming arena Smaaash at Kamala Mills. The Congress leader produced documents to substantiate the charge, which allegedly showed that Smaaash was allowed to set up an elevated track in violation of rules.
'Blessings of BJP leaders'
"Not only Mojo's, Smaaash or 1 Above, the entire mill land in Mumbai has been turned into a hub of illegal activities over the last three years. Owners are still running mills on paper, and they seek permission for canteens, which are then converted into plush fine-dining pubs and restaurants. This is happening with the blessings of BJP leaders in Delhi, the CM and BMC commissioner," alleged Nirupam. "Mehta said a leader had called him to save someone in the fire case. He must name that leader, or else the Congress will start agitation on roads."
Nagpur connection
Nirupam said a deal was struck in Nagpur, where a BJP legislator (son of a former NCP leader) facilitated a meeting of Mojo's partners with Fadnavis. "The CM assured them immunity and to shift the blame on 1 Above was part of that conspiracy. But the fire department's report has nailed the real culprits," he said.
He added that other than a retired IPS officer and his son, a high-profile sitting IPS officer working in MMR, and a 'broker', a BJP legislator's brother-in-law, were involved in Mojo's. "The fronts are facing the brunt, but the real investors are different and hiding."
He demanded a probe into all restaurants on mill lands in the city. "People are scared to visit pubs, restaurants and hotels. They do not know what is in store for them because of corrupt officials' wrongdoings. This must stop once and for all," he said. When contacted, Mehta said he was busy conducting inquiries and refused to comment.
BJP says
BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said Nirupam was trying to cover up the wrongdoings of his party when it was in power. "The probe is on and it will expose Congress and NCP for turning mills into malls. Fear has gripped Nirupam, and hence, he is trying to bring probing agencies under pressure by making wild allegations against the CM."
'A CBI inquiry is needed'
Documents prove that the BMC commissioner signed on a proposal that allowed the elevated race tracks at Smaaash, whereas a BMC circular dated 2011 as well as DCR 65 both clearly state that such a construction is illegal. "A BMC executive engineer himself categorically stated in the proposal that this is not allowed. Despite that, within six days of submitting the proposal, it got the approval of the deputy chief engineer (B.P) City, chief engineer (D.P), as well as Mehta," said Nirupam. "It is clear that an unbiased investigation cannot take place under the aegis of the BMC commissioner. He must be suspended and a probe must be carried out by the CBI, or a judicial inquiry must be conducted into the illegal constructions at Kamala Mills."
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