Rajkot game zone fire: The Gujarat government on Monday (May 27) ordered the suspension of six officials, including two police inspectors and civic staff, with immediate effect for negligence in connection with the Rajkot game zone fire that killed 27 people. They were held responsible “for their gross negligence in allowing this game zone to operate without necessary approvals”, the government said in a release. This comes after the reports emerged that the facility, where fire incident took place on Saturday, was operated without the fire NOC (no objection certificate).
"The game zone had received permissions from the roads and buildings department. It had also submitted a proof of fire safety equipment to obtain the fire NOC which was under process and not yet completed," Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava told reporters on Sunday.
The government swung into action and suspended five officials, a day after Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inspected the site and instructed the departments concerned to take strict action against those responsible for such a serious incident.
Who all are suspended?
Among those who have been suspended include Rajkot Municipal Corporation's town planning department assistant engineer Jaideep Chaudhary, assistant town planner for RMC Gautam Joshi, Rajkot Roads and Buildings department's deputy executive engineer MR Suma, and police inspectors VR Patel and NI Rathod, according to the orders passed by the respective departments. A station fire officer was also suspended.
Fire at TRP game zone
As many as 27 people, including children, were charred in the fire that broke out at the TRP game zone in Nana-Mava locality of Rajkot on May 25 evening. Two persons were arrested while an FIR was registered against six partners of the game zone and another accused on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, according to officials
The Gujarat High Court on Sunday took suo motu cognisance of the fire tragedy, terming it a prima facie "man-made disaster".
The HC noted a stock of highly inflammable materials such as petrol, fibres and fibreglass sheets were stored at the facility.
The state government has formed a Special Investigation Team and also announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each deceased. The Centre also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased person.
(With PTI inputs)
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