An offence has been registered against the management of Reliance Smart Superstore in Laxmi Nagar after the police investigation revealed unauthorised construction and illegal use of the parking area, which allegedly led to the devastating fire that gutted the store on Laxmi Pujan night (October 21). The Bajaj Nagar Police took action based on a detailed complaint filed by Anil Dwarkadas Gandhi (68), a resident of Laxmi Nagar who accused the store of endangering public safety through negligence and violation of building norms. The fire, which raged for nearly six hours, exposed serious safety lapses and unauthorised construction inside the store premises.

 

The accused names in the FIR are - Vinod Santosh Hasani; Suresh Parmanand Tolani and others members of HMT Associates; Sameer of Reliance Mart and other officials; officials of Reliance Project and Property Managament; offiicals of Reliance Retail Ltd; Pradip Kulkarni of Mahachaha; Keshav Kamle and Directors of Mahachaha; and Anil Gugal, Manager of Reliance Store. According to police officials, the fire started around 9 pm on the day of Laxmi Pujan, when most nearby residents were busy with festive celebrations. Within minutes, thick smoke and flames engulfed the building and sent panic across the locality. The Fire Department immediately rushed multiple fire tenders to the spot. Despite their efforts, it took nearly six hours to completely control the blaze. By then, all goods and infrastructure inside the store were reduced to ashes. During a detailed inspection by the Fire Department and the police, shocking irregularities came to light. The ground floor of the mall – which was originally approved and reserved for parking – had been illegally converted into a warehouse.

 

Large quantities of highly flammable materials, including toilet cleaners, cooking oil, detergents, and other chemicals, were being stored there in violation of safety rules. It was also found that unauthorised construction and structural alterations had been made inside the mall premises. These illegal constructions not only violated municipal regulations but also blocked fire exits and emergency access routes, putting the lives of visitors and nearby residents at grave risk. A few months ago, Anil Gandhi had filed a complaint against the encroachment and misuse of the parking area by the mall. Acting on the complaint, authorities had earlier removed some of the encroachments. However, the store allegedly continued its operations without making any corrections or following safety guidelines. Gandhi’s recent complaint stated that the store’s negligence and illegal use of the premises had directly endangered the lives of citizens. Following an inquiry, the Bajaj Nagar Police have booked the Reliance Smart Super store under Sections 125, 126(1), 287, 329(1), 324(1), 326(F), 326(G), and 3(5) of the BNS. Police officials have confirmed that further investigation is in progress to determine responsibility.

 

 

Investigators have also revealed that the fire audit of the Reliance Smart Store and its adjoining building has not been conducted since 2021. This serious violation of safety norms has raised questions about how the store continued to operate without valid clearance. Gandhi has stated in his complaint that the management knowingly ignored the mandatory fire audit despite repeated reminders.

 

 

The fire did not just destroy the Reliance Smart Store but also caused heavy damage to the adjacent residential apartment. Electrical wiring, air conditioners, washing machines, and other valuable items were burnt in the blaze. Preliminary estimates suggest that residents of the neighbouring apartment complex suffered a financial loss of nearly Rs 60 lakh. The Bajaj Nagar Police and Fire Department have intensified their probe to determine whether negligence, unauthorised storage, or safety violations were the main cause of the fire that endangered many lives on the festive night.