The massive fire at Kamala Mills on December 29th had caused death of 14 people

Mumbai Municipal (BMC) Commissioner Ajoy Mehta while speaking to the house of elected corporators of Mumbai said that a leader had called him up to stop the action being taken against illegal eateries and unauthorised constructions.

The news comes after the huge uproar that the deaths of 14 people had generated in the horrifying fire that engulfed two resto-bars at Kamala Mills compound just before New Year.

"The leader of opposition has called for a motion to remove me but I want to tell you all that after we started the demolition work, I got a call from a leader who asked me to stop it. But we did not stop," Mehta told the corporators.

"I will listen to everyone but will follow the rules only. I will need support of all the elected members to clear the mess," he added.

The house erupted with members asking the commissioner to name the person who had called him up. He, however, refused to name the politician.

After facing much backlash for its inaction to control unauthorised constructions and eateries, BMC had started demolition of unauthorised constructions a day after the Kamala Mills fire on December 29.

In just about two days since, action against 670 eateries was undertaken for which leaves of BMC workers was cancelled and enforcement from other departments was also sought.

During this time, Mehta received a call from a politician asking the demolition at a certain location to be stopped.

Shiv Sena leader Kishori Pednekar claimed that there was only one person who could have called up the commissioner -- a big Congress leader who she refused to name.

"We have seen who has been supporting all illegal work over the past months. Even the commissioner was looking at the Congress leaders when he said that. It is very sad that people misuse their position for vote bank," Pednekar said.

However leader of the opposition in the house Ravi Raja from Congress rubbished the allegation.

"The commissioner never named anyone and it is wrong to make such an assumption. I would like to urge the commissioner to name that leader who called up to stop the work. It is very shameful," said Raja.

Mumbai mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar said, "This is a very serious issue. However, the commissioner himself should investigate this matter."

Mehta also announced that rapid action will be taken against restaurants that are not found to be fire compliant.

"Fire officer will be checking restaurants for fire compliance. The moment a restaurant is found to be non fire compliant, even if public is present, they will be asked to leave and the establishment will be locked down immediately," Mehta said.

This rigorous step will be taken from Monday by the fire department officers.

"Action against the culprits responsible for the Kamala Mills be taken as soon as the report is received which will take a month," he added.