The Gujarat state government on Monday suspended five officials under various departments, including two police inspectors for dereliction of duty in connection with the fire at the TRP game zone in Rajkot. As many as 27 persons were killed in the tragic fire incident.
A release from the state government said, “The officials have been held responsible for their gross negligence in allowing this game zone to operate without necessary approvals.” According to authorities, the game zone was operating without obtaining necessary NOC (no objection certificate) from the fire department.
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 engineer M.R. Suma, and police inspectors V.R. Patel and N.I. 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.
On Monday, a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) visited the game zone and conducted a probe. Taking suo moto cognisance of the matter, the Gujarat High Court on Monday came down heavily on the Rajkot municipal body for its negligence.
The government's action of suspending five 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 police have arrested two persons and registered an FIR against six partners of the game zone and another accused on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, officials earlier said.
The state government has formed a Special Investigation Team and also 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.
CCTV footage from the game zone emerged on Monday showing how the fire could have likely started. The fire that claimed 27 lives on Saturday was caused during a welding operation, CCTV footage revealed. Sparks from the welding work on the roof ignited wooden planks kept rightly underneath it -- starting the devastating fire, the video showed.
According to a preliminary probe, the game zone managers allegedly expanded the facility to three stories by obtaining a ride certificate. Though they secured permission from the police for the amusement park and sought approval for rides, many comprehensive safety evaluations were reportedly side-stepped. Over 2, 000 litres of petrol were stored on-site. Welding activities were going on at the game zone and tyres were also kept in the area without safety regulations.
-with inputs from agencies.