Mumbai: A major fire broke out late Monday night at the Sky Pan Building in Oberoi Complex near Laxmi Industrial Estate in Andheri (West). The blaze was confined to electric wiring, installations and household articles in a flat on the 11th floor of a 13-storey building. The fire was reported by a citizen at 10:02 pm and the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) declared it a Level-II fire at 11:20 pm.

Visuals Show Massive Fire In High-Rise

Visuals surfaced on the internet show a massive blaze engulfing two particular rooms of the flat in the high-rise. Thick black smoke can be seen billowing from the scene as the fire continued to turn the household articles to ash. There are no reports stating the exact amount of damage caused by the major fire.

Multiple agencies, including BMC’s MFB, ward staff, police, the 108 ambulance service and Adani Electric distribution company, were mobilised to handle the emergency. Resources deployed included one ADFO, three Senior Station Officers, eight fire engines, two turntable ladders, two high-pressure pumps, eight jumbo tankers, one breathing apparatus van, an all-weather tactical truck, one water tanker and a quick-response vehicle.

Details On The Casualties

The fire was successfully extinguished by 1:49 am, as confirmed in a later update. However, the incident resulted in two casualties. According to information from Kokilaben Hospital, Raunak Mishra, a 38-year-old, suffered from severe suffocation and is currently under medical observation. Tragically, 75-year-old Rahul Mishra was brought to the hospital and declared dead on arrival due to asphyxiation.

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities are working to ensure safety protocols are reinforced in residential high-rises, particularly concerning electrical installations and emergency preparedness. Further updates are awaited.

Mumbai, Jan 7: Amid demand for NCP minister Dhananjay Munde’s resignation following the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and party chief Ajit Pawar on Monday clarified that no action will be taken until the three ongoing investigations name anyone.

Ajit Pawar on Monday revealed the party’s official stand saying: “There are SIT, judicial and CID probes going on. Let these agencies complete their investigations. If the probe names anyone, only then there will be action.”

Ajit Pawar was speaking to reporters after his meeting with the NCP’s National Working President Praful Patel and his party leader and the State Food and Civil Supply Minister Dhananjay Munde.

Thereafter, Ajit Pawar also met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and discussed at length the political scenario amid the all-party demand for Munde’s resignation.

He has reportedly registered his displeasure over the BJP legislator Suresh Dhas’ statements against Munde in connection with the killing of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

Earlier, Munde after his meeting with Ajit Pawar dropped hints that he would not step down.

Munde also indicated that the NCP leadership has also not sought his resignation.

He said that during his meeting with Ajit Pawar, he wished him a happy New Year and briefed him about the food and civil supply department which he holds.

“The issue of Santosh Deshmukh’s killing and the demand for resignation did not come up during my meeting with party president and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar,” he added.

He claimed that how can he stop those demanding his resignation? “I have been demanding that stern action should be taken against those involved in the killing of Santosh Deshmukh,” Munde said.

Veteran NCP leader and former Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who was denied a ministerial berth in the recent cabinet expansion, came to Munde’s defence, saying that there was no need for him to step down at this juncture.

“Munde’s resignation is being sought. I want to tell you that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has clearly said that the government will conduct a thorough investigation and take action against everyone found guilty. Why are they demanding Munde’s resignation before that? Has anything come out of the investigation? If you have anything, give it to the police. Until nothing comes out of the investigation, it is wrong to demand his resignation. I don’t think this is right,” Bhujbal told reporters.

Meanwhile, an all-party delegation on Monday urged the Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan that the NCP Minister Dhananjay Munde should immediately resign from the Cabinet, considering the involvement and possible interference in the brutal killing of the Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district.

The delegation also demanded that the feeling of “rule of law” must be strengthened for which a case of murder under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 103 must be immediately registered against Walmik Karad, the mastermind of the kidnapping, extortion and murder case, and the case should be conducted in a fast-track court.

The delegation in its representation to the Governor also demanded that the accountability of law enforcement officials should be ensured and therefore action should be taken against police personnel who neglected their duties.

The delegation also urged the Governor to take initiatives to restore public confidence and safety of residents in the Beed district and ultimately curb extortion and hooliganism.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar sparked controversy during his recent visit to Baramati by declaring that voters were not his ‘boss’ simply because they had elected him. Pawar made this statement while receiving a memorandum amidst his speech. Addressing the crowd, he remarked, “Just because you voted for me, it doesn’t mean you have become my boss or owner. Have you made me a farm labourer now?”

The statement drew widespread attention, coinciding with ongoing political discussions around the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). On January 3, the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP dismissed any possibility of reuniting with Sharad Pawar’s faction.

NCP Reaffirms Its Bond With BJP-Led Mahayuti In Maharashtra

The NCP reaffirmed its alliance with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the national level and the Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra. Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare reiterated that their July 2023 decision to align with the BJP remains unchanged, ruling out reconsideration.

“Our party is firmly allied with the NDA at the Centre and MahaYuti in the state. Under Ajit Pawar’s leadership, the NCP has achieved significant electoral victories. There is no rethinking on this stand,” Tatkare stated during a press interaction. When asked whether a reunion with the Sharad Pawar faction could happen if the latter reconsidered its stance, Tatkare avoided speculation, saying, “There are no ifs and buts in politics.”

Tatkare also distinguished personal relationships from political decisions, asserting, “Family and politics are two different things.” His comments followed an emotional appeal from Ajit Pawar’s mother, Ashatai Pawar. During her visit to the temple town of Pandharpur, she expressed a desire for reconciliation within the Pawar family. Speaking to the media, she said, “I wish that the differences within the Pawar family end at the earliest. I hope Pandurang answers my prayers.”