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Five Officials Suspended Over Rajkot Game Zone Fire Tragedy

The Gujarat government issued orders on Monday for the immediate suspension of five officials, including two police inspectors and civic staff, for negligence in connection with the Rajkot game zone fire that claimed 27 lives.

As per government release, the officials have been held accountable “for their gross negligence in allowing this game zone to operate without necessary approvals.

Operational Oversight: Lack of Fire NOC

Notably, it has been revealed that the facility where the fire broke out on Saturday was operated without a fire NOC (no objection certificate).
“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,” Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava told reporters on Sunday.

The government’s decision to suspend five officials comes a day after Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inspected the site of the fire on Saturday and directed the departments involved to take strict and punitive action against those responsible for such a serious incident.

Identification of Suspended Officials

According to orders issued by the respective departments, Rajkot Municipal Corporation’s town planning department assistant engineer Jaideep Chaudhary, RMC assistant town planner Gautam Joshi, Rajkot Roads and Buildings department deputy executive engineer MR Suma, and police inspectors VR Patel and NI Rathod have all been suspended.

Fatal Tragedy: Details of the Incident

On the evening of May 25th, a fire at the TRP game zone in Rajkot’s Nana-Mava locality killed 27 people, including children.
The police have arrested two people and filed a FIR against six game zone partners and another accused on a variety of charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, officials said.
On Sunday, the Gujarat High Court took suo motu cognizance of the fire tragedy, declaring it a “man-made disaster.”
The HC discovered a stockpile of highly inflammable materials at the facility, including petrol, fibers, and fiberglass sheets.

Government Assistance and Relief Measures

The state government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to each deceased’s kin.
The central government has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased person.