Gujarat HC Slams Government Over Rajkot Gaming Zone Fire, Questions Oversight Failures

In a fierce rebuke, the Gujarat High Court criticized the state government for its negligence following a devastating fire at a Rajkot gaming zone that claimed 28 lives, including nine children. The court expressed its deep frustration with the municipal body’s failure to certify at least two gaming structures in the city, which had been operating without the necessary permits, including fire safety certificates, for over two years.

The High Court’s harsh words came after the Rajkot municipal body admitted that these gaming zones had been functioning without required approvals. The court remarked, “Are we to assume you turned a blind eye? What do you and your followers do?” The judges questioned the local administration’s oversight and accountability in ensuring public safety.

This tragedy highlights the broader issues of regulatory lapses in fire safety and building code enforcement. The Rajkot gaming zone, licensed by local police in November of the previous year, operated with apparent disregard for safety protocols. The court showed its exasperation, stating, “Have you gone blind? Did you fall asleep? Now we do not trust the local system and the state.”

The court session revealed further unsettling details, such as the presence of municipal officers at the gaming zone prior to the incident. The judges sarcastically inquired if these officials were there to play games themselves, highlighting the systemic failures.

Additionally, the court noted that fire safety certification hearings have remained unresolved for four years, exacerbating the issue. The state’s lawyer, Advocate Manisha Luv Kumar Shah, acknowledged that similar non-compliance was found in other gaming zones, including two in Ahmedabad, and promised a thorough investigation.

The High Court’s outrage stems from repeated fire-related incidents in Gujarat, with significant casualties and property damage in recent years. Despite previous directives and court orders aimed at preventing such disasters, lapses continue to endanger lives.

In response to the Rajkot incident, six officials, including police and civic body members, were suspended for gross negligence. A police case with charges of culpable homicide has been filed against the six partners who owned the gaming zone, with two arrests already made. The state has formed a five-member investigative team led by Additional Director General of Police Subhash Trivedi to look into the incident.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced compensation for the victims’ families, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the tragedy. However, these measures may be too little, too late for the families affected by the fire.

This incident underscores the urgent need for stringent enforcement of safety regulations and accountability in governance to prevent such tragedies in the future.

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