Rajkot gaming zone fire: SIT’s interim report points to lapses, inquiry held on changes needed in police Act

In its 100-page interim report, the SIT said that inquiry has been conducted on changes that are necessary in Section 33 of the Gujarat Police Act, which empowers local police to give various licenses to such game zones.

Trivedi said, “Negligence on part of departments like police, town planning, fire as well as roads and buildings have been found and brought to the attention of the government.” He did not give name of any official found negligent in the probe.

“Inquiry has been conducted on changes that are necessary in Section 33 of (Gujarat) Police Act… and how the situation could be made safe,” Trivedi said.

Asked about the presence of inflammable material like petrol and diesel inside the TRP Game Zone, Trivedi said, “Not more than 20 litres of petrol was stored… as per the the Petroleum Act, one needs a license only if he wants to store more than 20 litre of petrol.” He added that the liquid chemical that was found at the game zone was a chemical used for cleaning purpose.

“When so many (penal) sections have been added (to the case), when 27 people have died, do you think that the police will not add sections of Petroleum Act or Explosive Substances Act if they get a chance to do so,” Trivedi asked the mediapersons. “Probe is on to study the role of high-level officers, whether of (municipal) corporation or police,” he said. During a hearing on a suo motu PIL taken up by Gujarat HC over the game zone fire, senior advocate Amit Panchal on June 13, citing photos available on social media, had informed the bench that the then Rajkot SP, district collector, municipal commissioner and District Development Officer had attended the inaugural ceremony of TRP Game Zone.

Trivedi said these officers went there about one year after it was opened. “We have already questioned four IAS and one IPS officer who had visited the game zone (in March 2022) and whose photos were taken,” he said.