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Mumbai pub blaze: Celeb cop Ribeiro files PIL for probe

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Mumbai, Jan 9 (IANS) Amidst simmering anger over the Mumbai pub blaze of December 29, celebrated former top cop Julio F. Ribeiro on Tuesday filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court seeking an enquiry commission into the incident which claimed 14 lives.

Ribeiro, 88, is the former police commissioner of Mumbai who later deputed as the Director General of Police in Punjab and Gujarat followed by a stint as India’s Ambassador to Romania.

In his PIL, the retired IPS officer has sought the constitution of a judicial enquiry commission into the Kamala Mills Compound fire which broke out in The Mojo’s Bistro and spread to 1Above and other adjoining rooftop establishments, trapping 14 to their death and injuring 55 others.

“I have also sought a compulsory fire audit of all pubs, restaurants, hotels and eateries all over the city to avoid recurrence of similar tragedies,” Ribeiro told IANS after filing the PIL through his lawyer Sujay Kantawala.

Elaborating, he said a Special Investigation Team must be set up headed by a responsible top-ranking police officer and probe the corrupt BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials, identify and take stringent action against them.

“After the pub fire, the BMC demolished over 500 illegal structures, which means they are aware of all the illegalities. We have also provided documentary proof of such violations by many eateries, which is alarming,” Ribeiro told IANS.

He accused the BMC officials of taking bribes and permitting hotels and restaurants to come up flouting all safety and security norms but now they should be “dealt with sternly”.

The PIL is expected to come up for admission and hearing soon, he said.

Soon after the Kamala Mills Compound blaze, the BMC initiated its single biggest demolition drive targeting illegal constructions in more than 600 eateries in the city.

A Mumbai Fire Brigade probe found that the blaze started in The Mojo’s Bistro due to burning embers from illegal hookahs being served to patron, and spread to other premises.

The Mumbai Police later arrested three persons, including two managers of 1Above pub, Kevin Bawa and Lisbon Lopez, and have announced a reward for the three absconding owner-partners of the pub (1Above).

On January 6, the police arrested Yug K. Pathak, the co-owner of The Mojo’s Bistro and son of former DGP-level retired IPS officer K.K. Pathak.

All have been booked under the stringent IPC law pertaining to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, among other charges.

–IANS
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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.

The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.

Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.

Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.

For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.

During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.

Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.

Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .

Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.

In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.

In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.

He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.

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