Have You Gone Blind? Gujarat HC Slams Govt Over Rajkot Gaming Zone Fire Incident

The Gujarat High Court has come down heavily on the Gujarat government over the fire accident at a gaming zone in Rajkot, which killed 28 persons, including four children.

Upon being informed that the two gaming zones had been operating in the city for the past two years without the necessary permits, including fire safety certificates, the Gujarat HC stated that it could no longer "trust" the state government, NDTV reported.

"This has been going on for two-and-a-half years (referring to the Rajkot gaming zone). Are we to assume you turned a blind eye? What do you and your followers do?" the court said.

Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava told the court that the gaming zone was granted a license by local police in November last year, with the license extended until December 31, 2024.

As the pictures showed officials at the gaming zone, the Delhi HC asked, "Who were these officers? Did they go there to play?"

Criticising the state government, the court added, "Have you gone blind? Did you fall asleep? Now we do not trust the local system and the state,"

The Gujarat High Court on Sunday took suo motu cognisance of the fire tragedy, terming it a prima facie "man-made disaster".

The HC noted a stock of highly inflammable materials such as petrol, fibres and fibreglass sheets were stored at the facility.

The fire at the TRP game zone in Nana-Mava locality of Rajkot may have been sparked by welding work in the gaming zone.

So far, the cops 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, PTI reported citing officials.

Meanwhile, Bhupendrabhai Patel's government on Monday ordered the suspension of five officials, including two police inspectors and civic staff, with immediate effect for negligence.