The Gujarat police on Monday arrested another partner in the Raceway Enterprise, which operated the Rajkot-based TRP game zone, for culpable homicide after a devastating blaze killed 27 persons including children. The state government has also ordered the suspension of six officials in connection with the fire incident.
Notably, the game zone was operated without the fire NOC (no objection certificate).
“One more accused, Rahul Rathore has been arrested in this case. The accused will be taken to the Court at around 1:30 pm,” the police said on Monday.
This is the third arrest in connection with the case. The police have already arrested two persons– Yuvrajsinh Solanki, another partner in the Raceway Enterprise and the entertainment facility’s manager Nitin Jain — on the charge of culpable homicide after a devastating blaze.
Six people, including Dhaval Corporation proprietor Dhaval Thakkar, Raceway Enterprise partners Ashoksinh Jadeja, Kiritsinh Jadeja, Prakashchand Hiran, Yuvrajsinh Solanki and Rahul Rathod have been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, in an official release, the government said six officials have been held responsible for their “gross negligence in allowing the game zone to operate without necessary approvals.”
Those who have been suspended are 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 engineers MR Suma and Paras Kothiya, and police inspectors VR Patel and NI Rathod, as per orders passed by the respective departments.
“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’s action of suspending six officials comes a day after Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inspected the site where the fire erupted on Saturday and instructed the departments concerned to take strict and punitive action against those responsible for such a serious incident.
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 that 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 announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each deceased.
The Central government has also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased person.
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