Prakash Hiran, one of the owners of the TRP Game Zone in Gujarat’s Rajkot, has been confirmed dead in the fire that broke out in the facility on May 25. He was one of the main accused in the incident.
The identification was made through DNA testing, which matched samples from the remains found at the scene with those of Prakash’s mother.
A senior police official said that Prakash’s body was handed over to his family early this morning after the conclusive identification process. He was the principal shareholder in the TRP Game Zone, holding more than 50% equity stake. His family has accepted his body.
The incident came to light when Prakash’s brother, Jitendra Hiran, filed a petition with the police reporting his brother’s disappearance after the fire. In his complaint, Jitendra said, “After the fire, there had been no contact with Prakash, all phone numbers were switched off, and Prakash’s car was found at the site of the fire.”
CCTV footage
CCTV footage from the time of the fire further corroborated Prakash Hiran’s presence at the gaming centre during the tragic event. Till Tuesday evening, about 24 bodies have been identified after DNA testing and matching.
In a state-wide crackdown, the government has sealed 20 gaming zones across eight municipal corporation areas for lacking the necessary authorisations. An additional 80 gaming zones have been “temporarily closed down” as authorities could not ascertain with absolute certainty their adherence to safety protocols for citizens.
A first information report (FIR) was lodged at Rajkot taluka police station against Hiran and five others under Indian Penal Code sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 337 (causing hurt by an act that endangers life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt to a person by doing an act that endangers their life or personal safety).
Also Read: No Emergency Exit Among Serious Lapses In Game Zone: SIT
