Gujarat High Court blasts govt, civic body over Rajkot gaming zone fire: ‘don’t have faith in the state machinery’
The Gujarat High Court was furious after the government counsel indicated that the Rajkot gaming zone could not have continued without officials being in the know.
The Gujarat High Court on Monday asked the commissioner of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) why the court should not hold him personally responsible and accountable for allowing the gaming zone, where 28 people were killed in a fire, to operate without hindrance for 18 months.
The bench of Justices Biren Vaishnav and Devan Desai was hearing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which it instituted based on news reports on May 26, concerning the fire at the TRP gaming zone in Rajkot in which 28 people were killed and four others are missing.
The court was especially furious after the Gujarat Government counsel also indicated that such an operation of an illegal structure could not have continued without officials being in the know.
Lambasting RMC and the state, Justice Vaishnav remarked in open court, “Who will take the drastic steps? Honestly speaking, we do not have faith in the state machinery now after four years of orders passed by this court, this is the sixth incident that has happened. They only want lives to be lost, only then do they trigger the machinery.”
Advocate G H Virk, appearing for RMC, informed the court that the original land owners only applied for regularisation on May 9 and had reportedly been operating the area for go-karting earlier, the activities starting sometime in June-July 2021.
To this, Justice Vaishnav asked, “So you were ignorant of these structures existing in the vicinity? So you were blind to it, that these big structures existed, you were unaware of it for 18 months? Was fire safety applied for it? Did you inspect? We’ll take it that you’re completely turning a blind eye to the whole issue. When did the corporation first recognise the existence of such a game zone? There are media reports that your corporation commissioner went for the inauguration. For 18 months, what did the corporation do? On the day of the incident, there was no fire NOC, no structural stability certificate and it was merrily going on, in front of the corporation’s eyes.”
Justice Desai added, “For three years you did not inquire about the structure or its legality. Forget they did not apply. What are your duties (as a civic body)? Who is the officer in charge in this period? You could have ordered the closure of the game zone till the regularisation… If someone doesn’t seek permission for two or three years, will the corporation shut its eyes?”
“Why should the commissioner not be held accountable for not complying with orders (of Gujarat HC concerning ensuring fire safety) for the last four years? Blatant, under the nose of the commissioner, admittedly by the state now, that the gaming zone is running for 18 months.”
Meanwhile, the Gujarat Government, represented by Additional Advocate General Manisha Lavkumar Shah, informed the court it has framed draft rules for regulating boating, which also includes regulating amusement zones/parks, framed in the aftermath of the Harni boat capsize in which 14 people, including 12 children, were killed earlier this year under the directions from the High Court.
Shah said, as of date, all amusement/gaming zones have been closed across the state and that the SIT formed to look into the incident is expected to submit a preliminary report either on Monday or Tuesday. It was also submitted of the six owners, three have been arrested so far while a lookout circular has been issued against three others.
Share
