Rajkot Gaming Zone Fire Tragedy: Accused to Appear Before Gujarat High Court

AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT : In a tragic incident that has shaken Rajkot and the entire state of Gujarat, a fire at a local gaming zone resulted in the loss of 33 lives, including nine children. This devastating event has led to widespread outrage and demands for accountability. On Monday, the accused in this horrific incident will be produced before a bench of the Gujarat High Court, where the police are expected to seek their remand.

The fire broke out on May 25 at the TRP Gamezone in Rajkot, a popular entertainment spot for families and children. The inferno, which quickly engulfed the premises, left little chance for those inside to escape, resulting in the tragic loss of life and highlighting significant lapses in safety measures.

The Rajkot police have acted swiftly in the aftermath of the tragedy, registering a First Information Report (FIR) against seven individuals for culpable homicide. So far, three people have been arrested, with the police actively pursuing the remaining accused. The charges reflect the severe negligence attributed to the management and owners of the gaming zone, who failed to implement adequate fire safety protocols.

The Gujarat High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of the incident, highlighting the gravity of the situation. During a recent session, Brijesh Trivedi, president of the High Court Bar Association, emphasized the need for stringent action against those responsible for the fire safety failures. He stated, “Strict action should be taken against those responsible for fire safety. Gaming zones are also located at other places in Gujarat.”

Senior Advocate Amit Panchal also addressed the court, highlighting the severe nature of the tragedy. “This is a very serious and painful accident,” he remarked, urging the court to ensure that such negligence does not go unpunished. Reports indicate a blatant lack of fire safety measures at the Rajkot Gamezone, raising concerns about similar facilities across the state.

In response to the incident, the State Government has taken disciplinary action against several officials. Six officers have been suspended, including two engineers from the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department—Executive Engineer M.R. Suma and Assistant Engineer Paras Kothia. Additionally, two police inspectors, V.R. Patel and N.I. Rathore, have been suspended for their failure to enforce safety regulations. Two town planning officers from the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC), Assistant Town Planner Gautam Joshi and Assistant Engineer Jaideep Chaudhary, have also been suspended.