Employee, employer fight for their lives

At JJ hospital, relatives of Mohan Ramlakhan, 19, and his Sirji, Ajay Varma, 40, are on tenterhooks as both employee and employer battle for their lives.

At JJ hospital, relatives of Mohan Ramlakhan, 19, and his Sirji, Ajay Varma, 40, are on tenterhooks as both employee and employer battle for their lives.

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Injured at the blast in Zaveri Bazaar, Ramlakhan is being treated in the burns ward, while Varma has sustained serious injuries on his chest and head.

“They have worked together for five years building our shop. Mohan was more than a helper, he was like a family member,” said Debojit Varma, Ajay’s brother-in-law.

The Varmas run a papad business, Khajiya Papadwallas, at Khau Gully.

“We had a big order that had to be delivered in Vile Parle on Wednesday evening. Ajay was supposed to carry the parcel, but he sent me and I was saved,” said Varma.

Vijay Varma, Ajay Varma’s brother, said: “I escaped the blast as I had gone to Uttar Pradesh.

Outside the burns’ ward, Ramlakhan’s brother, Shiv Bhuvan, 14, is sitting numb and can barely speak.

“It is so difficult to see my brother in such a condition,” said Shiv, who has not budged from there since Wednesday.