TRP Game Zone fire: Court rejects bail application of two owners

“Due to unpardonable negligence of the accused, 27 people have been killed. Keeping in mind the gravity of offence and the fact that the investigation of the offence is at crucial stage, this doesn’t seem a fit case for exercising discretionary powers in favour of accused in this serious case,” Additional Sessions Judge J D Suthar said in his order.

While Kiritsinh (56) was arrested on May 28, Ashoksinh (72), who has lost his eyesight, had surrendered before the Rajkot Crime Branch on June 13. They are currently in judicial custody.

So far, 15 people, including the owners and eight Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) officials, have been arrested in the case.

Ashoksinh and Kiritsinh own JPS Party Lawns and Ashutosh Party Plot, two adjoining pieces of land on which TRP Game Zone had been set up. They are also partners in Raceway Enterprise, a partnership firm that was running the TRP Game Zone jointly with Dhaval Corporation.

In the bail pleas, moved on June 13, the brothers have argued that they were merely sleeping partners in the entities running the TRP Game Zone and thus, not involved in its day-to-today operations.

However, Special Public Prosecutor Tushar Gokani underlined that Kirisinh and Ashoksinh had their office on the plot of land where TRP Game Zone had been set up and that they were aware that the amusement park’s huge tin shed didn’t have clearance from RMC’s town planning and fire and emergency service departments.

Gokani further said that despite an ongoing welding work, the two partners kept the gaming zone open to gain financially while not taking enough measures to ensure safety of visitors in an event of fire, as the shed had only one door serving as entry and exit point. He also said that the two brothers allowed commercial activity on their land, which they had got converted into non-agricultural land for residential purpose.

While Ashoksinh cited his loss of vision as one of the grounds for bail, Gokani said that he had signed Raceway Enterprise partnership deed in presence of a notary and that he lost vision just four months ago and thus, was aware about fire hazard at TRP Game Zone.

Narendrasinh Jadeja and S R Faldu, advocates representing the family members of the deceased, also opposed the bail pleas.

After concluding hearing on the pleas on Thursday, Justice Suthar had reserved his order, which he delivered on Friday.