India, Dec. 29 -- The Bombay High Court has asked the state government to explain how three companies, including two South Korean firms, set up factories in unauthorised premises in Pune district and still managed to get fire safety clearances and factory licences.

The division bench of justices Ravindra Ghuge and Ashwin Bhobe was shocked to see that the three companies had set up factories within the limits of Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). The judges noted that the factories were set up in Mangrul village in blatant disregard of the rules and procedures applicable.

"They even succeeded in getting the NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the fire department and factories licenses from the Directorate of Industri...