Gujarat Rajkot Fire Accident
Prakash Hiran, one of the owners of TRP Gamezone in Rajkot, Gujarat, was among the 27 people who lost their lives in a devastating fire. The blaze claimed the lives of several children as well. CCTV footage confirmed Hiran’s presence at the scene; his car was also found at the fire site.
Identifying the Victims
Hiran’s brother, Jitendra, had filed a missing person report, stating that Prakash was inside the gaming zone when the fire broke out. Due to the severity of the fire, many bodies were burnt beyond recognition. DNA samples were taken from Hiran’s mother, and forensic tests confirmed that Prakash was among the deceased.
The Incident and Legal Action
Prakash Hiran was a partner in Raceway Enterprises, holding 60% ownership in the gaming zone. He was named as an accused in the case along with five others. The accused include:
- Dhaval Thakkar, proprietor of Dhaval Enterprises
- Ashoksinh Jadeja, a partner in Raceway Enterprises
- Kiritsinh Jadeja, a partner in Raceway Enterprises
- Yuvrajsinh Solanki, a partner in Raceway Enterprises
- Rahul Rathod, a partner in Raceway Enterprises
Dhaval Thakkar was apprehended in Rajasthan after fleeing the scene. Yuvrajsinh Solanki, Nitin Jain, and Rahul Rathod have been in police custody for two weeks. They face charges under various sections of the IPC, including culpable homicide and causing hurt by acts endangering life and personal safety.
Lack of Fire Safety Measures
The tragic incident, which occurred on May 25, revealed severe lapses in fire safety measures. It was revealed that the gaming zone had not applied for a fire safety certificate until this year. The Gujarat High Court criticized the state government for its oversight and demanded an affidavit with the findings of a special investigative team.
Government and Court Response
The Gujarat High Court expressed its dismay over the incident, particularly emphasizing the loss of innocent lives. The court condemned the negligence, stating, “This incident is an eye-opener. The system’s eyes have opened after the death of innocent children. Such a game zone cannot be run at the cost of small children being killed.”
The court also voiced its distrust in the local and state systems, highlighting the four-year-old unresolved fire safety certification issues.
This tragic event underscores the urgent need for stringent safety regulations and enforcement to prevent such disasters in the future.