Girgaum fire: Government to inform High Court about event’s safety policy

A bench headed by Justice V.M. Kanade asked the government to file an affidavit in two weeks, stating whether there was a policy for ensuring safety of artists and technicians on stage, as well as the audience in case of a mishap like the recent fire on Sunday night which engulfed the stage of a show being held at Girgaum Chowpatty. The bench further asked the government to inform the court whether such a policy was being implemented, if, indeed, it existed.

“If such guidelines have not been framed yet, then it is high time that a policy or rules be drawn immediately to ensure safety of artists and technicians on stage and also of the audience. This is not about this event where a fire broke out causing panic among the audience... This is not a blame game. Fortunately, the government took steps and no untoward incident happened and everyone was evacuated,” said the bench.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the ‘Association for Aiding Justice’ which sought safety measures for artists and others performing during an event.

The petition demanded that all those working on a production (set) or at an event should be given information to enable them perform their job safely. The PIL said that irrespective of the duration of engagement, all those working on a production or an event must be given an orientation at every work site where they perform. This must include information relevant to the event or production.

“There is no general code of safe practices for events like the one held at Girgaum Chowpatty where the stage was engulfed by fire,” said the petition.

Notably, in January this year, the high court had refused permission to the government to hold the mega event on the seafront. However, the Supreme Court, earlier this month, stayed the high court order and allowed the government to hold the event at the beach to kick-off the Make In India Week programme.

The government has now ordered a probe to ascertain the cause of the fire and also to find out if due safety norms were followed by the organisers.