Two of six policemen suspended over fire in Rajkot wildlife sanctuary – Telangana Today

They were held responsible for their “gross negligence in allowing the gaming zone to operate without the necessary permits”.

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government on Monday ordered the suspension of six officials in connection with the Rajkot wildfire that killed 27 people. The officials were held responsible for their “gross negligence in allowing the wildlife area to operate without the necessary permissions,” a government press release said.

Deputy Engineer of Town Planning Department of Rajkot Municipal Corporation Jaideep Chaudhary, Deputy Town Planner of RMC Gautam Joshi, Deputy Executive Engineers of Rajkot Roads and Buildings Department MR Suma and Paras Kothiya and Police Inspectors VR Patel and NI Rathod have been suspended as per the orders of the respective departments.

Notably, the gaming zone where the fire broke out on Saturday was operating without a fire safety certificate. “The gaming zone had obtained permits from the Roads and Buildings Authority. Proof of fire safety equipment was also submitted to obtain the fire safety certificate, which is still in process and not finalized,” Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava told reporters on Sunday.

The government’s decision to suspend six officials came a day after Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inspected the site where the fire broke out on Saturday and directed the departments concerned to take strict and punitive action against those responsible for the serious incident. The fire at the TRP gaming area in Nana-Mava locality in Rajkot on Saturday night left 27 people, including children, dead.

Police have arrested two persons and filed a case against six partners of the gaming area and one other accused on various charges, including wilful killing not amounting to murder, officials said earlier. The Gujarat High Court on Sunday took cognizance of the fire tragedy and termed it a prima facie “man-made disaster”.

The Supreme Court found that a stockpile of highly flammable materials such as petrol, fibre and fibreglass sheets was stored in the facility. The state government has constituted a special investigation team and has promised a gratuity of Rs 400,000 to the next of kin of each deceased. The central government has also promised a gratuity of Rs 200,000 to the next of kin of each deceased.