MUMBAI: Continuing its crackdown on marriage halls violating Covid-19 norms and allowing crowds to gather at weddings, the
BMC on Friday night registered FIRs against three such halls in Kalina.
Civic officials said that these venues were allowing more guests than the 50 limit, despite warnings. The FIR was registered by
Vakola police station for violating SOPs under Indian Penal Code sections 188 for disobedience to an order, 269 for an act likely to spread an infection and 34 for common intention, added officials.
According to officials, FIRs were filed against a Yashodhan Hall, Gurunanak Hall and Noor Marriage Hall. “We had issued notices to all event venues in the area and told them to comply with the Covid-19 restrictions on the number of guests, but they did not listen. When we visited the venues on Friday night, we found that there were around 200 to 300 guests present and there was no social distancing being practiced at all. None of the guests were wearing face masks either,” said a senior civic official. All three venues are located on Kalina’s CST Road.
“The filing of the FIRs must act as a deterrent. However, the BMC must have constant vigil and cancel licenses of establishments that violate Covid-19 protocols,” said local Congress corporator Tulip Miranda.