IN PHOTOS: 6 officials suspended for negligence in Rajkot game zone fire

The Gujarat government has suspended six officials, including two police inspectors and four civic staff members, for their negligence in the Rajkot game zone fire. The officials were held responsible for allowing the game zone to operate without the necessary approvals, leading to the fire that claimed 27 lives. Pics/PTI

Updated On: 2024-05-27 03:36 PM IST

Compiled by : Sanjana Deshpande

The Gujarat government has suspended six officials, including two police inspectors and four civic staff members, for their negligence in Rajkot game zone fire.

The suspended officials include Jaideep Chaudhary, an assistant engineer in the town planning department of Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC); Gautam Joshi, the assistant town planner for RMC; MR Suma and Paras Kothiya, deputy executive engineers from the Rajkot Roads and Buildings department; and police inspectors VR Patel and NI Rathod. These suspensions were ordered by their respective departments.

The game zone where the fire erupted did not have a fire NOC (no objection certificate). While the game zone had submitted proof of fire safety equipment to obtain the fire NOC, the process was incomplete at the time of the incident. This lack of proper fire safety certification has been identified as a critical factor in the tragedy.

The suspension of the six officials follows a visit by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to the site of the fire. During his visit, he instructed the relevant departments to take strict and punitive action against those responsible for the incident, highlighting the government's commitment to accountability and safety.

The fire occurred at the TRP game zone in the Nana-Mava locality of Rajkot on Saturday evening, resulting in the deaths of 27 individuals, including children. The incident has prompted widespread concern and a call for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in public spaces.

In response to the fire, the police have arrested two individuals and registered an FIR against six partners of the game zone and another accused. The charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder, reflecting the severity of the legal consequences for those found responsible.

The Gujarat High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the fire tragedy, describing it as a prima facie "man-made disaster." The court noted the presence of highly inflammable materials such as petrol, fibres, and fibreglass sheets at the facility, which contributed to the severity of the fire.

The state government has formed a special investigation team to thoroughly examine the circumstances leading to the fire. This team will investigate potential regulatory lapses and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

The government has announced ex gratia payments to support the families of the deceased. The state government will provide Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each deceased person, while the Central government has announced an additional Rs 2 lakh per deceased individual, demonstrating efforts to provide financial relief to the affected families.

The incident has underscored the importance of stringent safety measures and regulatory compliance in public facilities. Ongoing investigations aim to prevent such tragedies in the future by identifying and addressing the gaps in safety protocols and enforcement.

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