The Gujarat High Court, presiding over a hearing on last month’s tragic fire incident at the TRP Game Zone in Rajkot, has accused Municipal Commissioners of gross negligence. The court questioned the practice of solely blaming contractors for such incidents, asserting that it “would not spare even the responsible officers.”
The fire at the gaming arcade on May 25 claimed the lives of 28 people, including children. Investigations revealed that the facility was operating without a fire license.
In a previous hearing, the court had severely criticized the civic body and the state government upon discovering that the Rajkot gaming arcade was not the only one operating without a fire license. Two other gaming zones in Rajkot had been running for over two years without the necessary permits, including fire safety certificates.
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“Such incidents keep happening, including in Morbi, Harni,” the High Court stated. “Why does the government only cover the contractor in such incidents? Municipal Commissioners are sleeping, hence accidents are happening due to such negligence… Now no municipal commissioner will be given a chance,” declared the two-judge bench led by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal.
“The Rajkot fire incident seems small to you… now you will not be able to save the officers,” the judges warned, ordering that the affidavit be filed promptly. The court expressed its displeasure at the civic body when it sought more time to file the affidavit, asking, “Aren’t you ashamed?”
The court was hearing a petition alleging that the Fire Safety Act, as directed by the Supreme Court, is not being adhered to in the state. The petition also claimed that there is laxity in the investigation.
In response to the Rajkot fire incident, the Gujarat government has introduced a set of draft rules to ensure safety at recreation facilities.
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