Have you gone blind or were sleeping for 4 years? Gujarat HC slams state govt over Rajkot game zone fire

The Gujarat High Court came down heavily on the Rajkot Muncipal Corporation (RMC) on Monday after major security lapses came to the fore at the gaming zone where a massive fire claimed the lives of 28 people, including nine children. During the hearing, the court, in stern words, slammed the state government and the Rajkot muncipal body for their negligence. 

Court slammed state government

The court said, 'Were you sleeping?' We no longer trust the government. A massive fire broke out in the TRP Game Zone in Nana-Mava area of ​​Rajkot on the evening of 25th May. 35 people including 12 children died in this accident. According to the police, the fire may have been caused by welding work in the gaming zone as huge quantities of highly flammable substances were kept there.

Earlier during the hearing on Sunday, the High Court termed the Rajkot fire as a 'man-made disaster'. A bench of Justice Biren Vaishnav and Justice Devan Desai said that such gaming zones and recreational facilities were built without taking necessary approvals from the competent authorities. Are. The bench also asked 'under which provision of law these gaming zones were created.'

No one will fight against the accused 

Meanwhile, an important decision was announced today by Rajkot Bar Association. After the fire in TRP Game Zone, it has been decided that not a single lawyer in Rajkot will fight the case on behalf of the accused. At the same time, if the family members of the deceased want to appoint a lawyer, then the case of the victim's families will be fought free of cost.

Man made disaster 

There was a fire in Rajkot Gaming Zone on Saturday, May 25. 32 people have lost their lives in this fire. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Shanghvi visited the spot to assess the situation and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the incident. SIT has been instructed to submit the report within 72 hours.

3 arrested till now 

Three people, including the owner and manager of the gaming zone, have been arrested and a case has been registered against six people under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Gujarat DGP has directed to inspect all the gaming zones in the state and close down the gaming zones running without fire safety permission. The Gujarat government on Monday ordered suspension of six officials in connection with the fire in Rajkot Game Zone. The authorities were held responsible for gross negligence in allowing the sports arena to operate without the necessary approvals.

CM, SIT visisted site 

Till now, the Gujarat CM, Bhupendra Patel, and Home Minister, Harsh Sanghavi, visited the site to assess the situation, and a SIT has been formed to probe the incident.