A devastating fire broke out in a gaming arcade in Rajkot, Gujarat, claiming the lives of 27 people, including four children. The fire, which swept through the TRP Game Zone, is believed to have started due to welding work being carried out on-site, as reported by ANI.
Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava stated, “Prima facie, the investigation conducted by the FSL officials and the information given to us by the fire officer after inspecting the site, it seems that some fabrication work was going on there and in that fabrication work, the fire might have started due to welding work.”
While 27 bodies have been recovered, some remains were also found, leading officials to believe the death toll could reach 28. Bhargava noted that TRP Game Zone had submitted proof of fire safety equipment to obtain a fire NOC, but the process was still incomplete.
“The game zone had received permissions from the roads and buildings department. It had also submitted proof of fire safety equipment to obtain the fire NOC, which was under process and not yet completed,” Bhargava told PTI.
The incident has brought to light the issue of gaming zones and recreational facilities operating without necessary approvals from competent authorities. The court will hear the case tomorrow.
FIR Against Six Partners, Two Arrested
In response to the tragedy, the Rajkot Police have registered a first information report (FIR) against six partners of the game zone on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Two of the accused have been arrested, while the others remain at large.
The individuals named in the FIR include Dhaval Corporation proprietor Dhaval Thakkar, Raceway Enterprise partners Ashoksinh Jadeja, Kiritsinh Jadeja, Prakashchand Hiran, Yuvrajsinh Solanki, and Rahul Rathod. Solanki and the entertainment facility’s manager, Nitin Jain, have been taken into custody.
The accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including:
- Section 304: Culpable homicide not amounting to murder
- Section 308: Attempt to commit culpable homicide
- Section 337: Causing hurt by an act that endangers life or personal safety of others
- Section 338: Causing grievous hurt by an act that endangers life or personal safety of others
- Section 114: Abetment
This tragic incident underscores the importance of stringent safety measures and proper regulatory approvals for public facilities to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.
