Mayor's Gaffe on Bawana Fire Caught on Mic, Singed BJP Feels Political Heat

New Delhi: The fire in North Delhi's Bawana firecracker factory claimed 17 lives on Saturday, a day later the politics around it continues to simmer and singe.

Causing major embarrassment to her party, the BJP leader and its North Delhi Mayor Preeti Aggarwal, who visited the factory site, was heard on camera telling her aides that they can't comment on the incident as they were the ones who cleared the factory's licence.

"Iss factory ki licensing hamare paas hai, isliye hum kuch nahi bol sakte (the licensing of the factory is with us, hence we can't say anything)," the Mayor's insensitive gaffe was duly caught on camera.

"It's murmuring. Only 'ye factory' is clear. People are trying to make that fake video viral at a sad time just to blame BJP. CM re-tweeted it, he must apologise for such low-level politics in a time of despair," said Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari.

Refusing to be drawn into a slanging match with BJP, AAP's Satyendra Jain said it is important to know how did the factory obtained its licence.

"Don't wish to indulge in politics. But we want to nab the culprits. How did this factory obtain its licence. We have ordered an inquiry. Everyone knows who gives licences to such factories. It is MCD's job," said Delhi's Urban Development Minister Satyendra Jain.

The factory owner, Manoj Jain, has since been arrested. Jain told police that he was running the factory alone and had taken it on rent.

The police had said that an FIR has been registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible material. The maximum punishment under section 304 is 10 years.

News18 has learnt that it was a firecracker packaging factory, however, the licence was obtained stating that it will be a plastic ball making factory.