Home Minister G. Parameshwara, after visiting the accident spot on Thursday, said the hookah bar, Mudpipe, where the fire accident occurred on Wednesday, was being run illegally as the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had only given permission for food catering.
He said the BBMP had failed to verify what business the owner was running and added that action would be initiated against BBMP officials for their negligence.
Meanwhile, the Fire and Emergency Services Department carried out a special drive at M.G. Road and Church Street to check whether pubs and restaurants were adhering to fire safety rules.
