REKHA P. THAPAR Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) RULE. Rule made returnable forthwith and heard finally by consent of the parties.

(2.) On 16/10/2015, 8 young adults visited a restaurant named Hotel City Kinara (herein after referred to as "Kinara") for lunch at 1.00 p.m.. They were made to sit on a table in the loft area/ mezzanine floor of Kinara where food was served to them. At about 1.20 p.m. a fire broke out in the loft area/ mezzanine floor. The Fire Brigade came at around 1.36 p.m. However, tragically all 8 young adults lost their lives. The names of these young adults, the names of the Petitioners who are their parents/ widow and the relation of each of the Petitioners to the deceased victims is set out herein below:-

(3.) On 28/8/2016, a complaint was filed before the Lokayukta, Maharashtra State, seeking directions for investigation into the fire incident and compensation to the families of the 8 young adults. By an Order dtd. 27/2/2017, the Lokayukta, Maharashtra State, dismissed the complaint. As far as the claim for compensation was concerned, it was recorded that, during the course of hearing, it had transpired that compensation had already been ordered to be paid to the families of the deceased persons who died due to the accidental fire at Kinara. It was also recorded that the compensation amount had already been credited to the account of the Tahsildar, Kurla, who had been directed to take further steps. In view thereof, the Lokayukta did not grant any compensation.