In response to the tragic fire at the TRP Gaming Zone in Rajkot, which resulted in the loss of 27 lives, including children, the Gujarat Home Minister has called for comprehensive action against those responsible. Subhash Trivedi, head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), confirmed this during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The devastating fire occurred on the evening of May 25, leading to widespread grief and demands for accountability. The Gujarat Home Minister held a meeting to review the progress of the SIT's investigation. He emphasised the need to identify the root cause of the incident and ensure that all responsible parties face appropriate action.
Rajkot Collector Prabhav Joshi provided an update on the casualties, confirming that the death toll stands at 27. DNA samples from the relatives of the deceased have all matched the bodies recovered, ensuring that there are no unidentified victims. Joshi mentioned that initial confusion arose because some relatives were concerned about privacy and did not want names to be publicly announced.
The investigation has already led to significant developments. Dhaval Thakkar, the main accused in the fire incident, was apprehended by the Banaskantha Local Crime Branch police and Rajkot Police. Thakkar, a resident of Abu Road, had been on the run since the fire broke out. His arrest marks a crucial step in the investigation.
Earlier, three other suspects, Yuvraj Hari Singh Solanki, Nitin Jain, and Rahul Rathod, were arrested and brought before a court in Rajkot. They were remanded to 14 days of police custody by additional judicial magistrate BP Thakar.
Special Public Prosecutor Tushar Gokani explained that the extended custody was necessary due to the accused’s lack of cooperation during the investigation. They were giving evasive replies and claiming that relevant documents had been destroyed in the fire.
Gokani further detailed the behaviour of one of the accused, Solanki, who initially appeared remorseful in court but later seemed indifferent. This conduct has raised concerns about their sincerity and cooperation with the investigation.
In response to the incident, the Gujarat government has suspended seven officials, including two police inspectors and several staff members of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation, for dereliction of duty. This action underscores the government's commitment to ensuring accountability and preventing such incidents in the future.
Following the Rajkot fire, gaming zones in Vadodara have been inspected and temporarily shut down to prevent any similar occurrences. This move highlights the government's proactive measures to ensure the safety of such venues across the state.
The Rajkot fire tragedy has prompted a thorough investigation and significant government action, reflecting the seriousness with which the authorities are addressing this incident. The focus now remains on ensuring justice for the victims and implementing measures to prevent future tragedies.
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