Wizcraft, facing FIR for 2016 fire, bags contract for Maha

Event management firm Wizcraft, blamed by the authorities for a massive fire during a Make In India Week event held here in 2016, has again bagged event management contract for 'Magnetic Maharashtra' investor summit organised by the state government.
After the fire destroyed much of the stage during an event at Girgaum Chowpatty -- where many VIPs were present -- during the Make in India Week in February 2016, Mumbai fire department had stated in a report that there was wilful negligence on the part of Wizcraft.
Fortunately, nobody was injured in the incident.
Mumbai police later registered an FIR against the company under IPC sections 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter).

When contacted for comment, Wizcraft's founder-director Sabbas Joseph confirmed that his company has got the contract for 'Magnetic Maharashtra' which starts here on February 18.
"Tendering process was done (for the contract). With regard to the FIR, court has not declared us guilty yet. The investigation is taking its own course. I do not see anything wrong that we had done. All (precautionary) steps were taken due to which people were safe then," he said.

Industries minister Subhash Desai, at a press conference held today about the coming mega investor summit, faced questions on Wizcraft getting the event management contract despite being a "blacklisted" owing to the 2016 mishap.

Desai said that the state government has roped in the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as national partner, and it is CII which has appointed various agencies for the event.
"We will look into it," Desai added.