Police in Mumbai have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against three individuals following a fire that broke out during a political campaign rally in the Lower Parel area on Saturday evening. The incident occurred after party workers burst firecrackers, which then spread to nearby residential structures.
Rally for Shiv Sena (UBT) Candidate Turns Chaotic
The campaign event was organized for Kishori Pednekar, the candidate of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) from ward number 199. According to officials from the NM Joshi Marg police station, the organizer, Ramchandra Yesade, had obtained the necessary permission for the rally. Pednekar, along with approximately 150 supporters, was scheduled for a door-to-door campaign in the Irani chawl and Gowardhan building vicinity.
Ignored Warnings Lead to Blaze
The situation escalated when the candidate and her entourage reached the front of the Gowardhan building. At that point, two party workers, identified as Soham Sarvankar and Omsai Pansare, began bursting firecrackers on the road. Police personnel present at the spot attempted to intervene and stop them, but their warnings went unheeded.
The ignited firecrackers flew into a one-plus structure, setting alight a tarpaulin shade. Sparks and debris from the crackers also entered one or two ground-floor houses, quickly spreading the fire. This prompted an immediate emergency response.
Swift Response Limits Damage, Legal Action Follows
Fire brigade teams and police rushed to the location and managed to douse the flames promptly. An official confirmed that no serious damage or injuries were reported due to the swift action, though the incident caused significant alarm among local residents.
Subsequently, the NM Joshi Marg police took legal action by booking the primary organizer, Ramchandra Yesade, and the two party workers, Soham Sarvankar and Omsai Pansare. The FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections 223 (a), 288, 125, 324 (4), and 3 (5). These sections typically deal with negligence, endangering life, and actions likely to cause mischief.
The incident highlights the safety risks associated with unauthorized use of fireworks during crowded public events, especially in densely populated urban areas like Lower Parel.
