A day after a fire at the TRP Gaming Zone in Rajkot killed 27 people, including children, Gujarat Police have booked six people, including its owner and manager, for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
An FIR has been filed against TRP Game Zone owner Yuvraj Hari Singh Solanki, manager Nitin Jain, and others at Rajkot Taluka Police Station. Both the owner and the manager have been arrested and will be produced in court tomorrow.
Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava announced the charges under IPC sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 337 (causing hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 114 (abettor present when the offence is committed). Two of the accused are currently in custody.
Commissioner Bhargava stated that the police are collaborating with the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team to gather scientific evidence, aiming to expedite the investigation and file a charge sheet promptly.
A nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the case, with special police teams working to apprehend the other accused individuals.
Preliminary investigations suggest that fabrication work involving inflammable materials was taking place in the game zone, and the fire likely started due to welding activities.
By Sunday morning, 28 people were confirmed dead, and several others were injured. Commissioner Bhargava reported that 27 bodies had been recovered, along with remains of another individual, bringing the total estimated death toll to 28.
DNA samples from the deceased were collected and sent to the FSL for identification, with results expected within 48 hours. The Commissioner mentioned that some DNA samples were taken from bone marrow due to the condition of the bodies. The process of matching these samples is ongoing.
A proposal has been sent to the Home Department to appoint a special Public Prosecutor. The SIT formed by the Gujarat government will submit a report, which will guide further actions. The police are also investigating whether the gaming zone had obtained the necessary fire safety No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, along with Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, visited the TRP Gaming Zone on Sunday to inspect the site and meet the injured at Rajkot’s Giriraj Hospital. Home Minister Sanghvi assessed the area and assured that the state government is making adequate arrangements.
Following the incident, all gaming zones in Vadodara were inspected and temporarily shut down. Chief Fire Officer Parth Brahmbhatt reported that all 8-9 gaming zones in Vadodara were inspected for safety. Unsafe gaming zones were instructed to implement the necessary safety measures.
Brahmbhatt confirmed that all gaming zones in Vadodara were previously deemed safe and that further safety measures have now been ensured. The gaming zones will remain closed until further orders.
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