Gujarat Fire Tragedy: Five Officials Suspended for Negligence, Facility Lacked Fire NOC
The Gujarat government has suspended five officials, including two police inspectors and civic staff, for negligence related to the tragic fire incident in Rajkot that claimed 27 lives. According to a government release, the officials were found responsible for their gross negligence in allowing the game zone, where the fire occurred, to operate without necessary approvals.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had inspected the site of the incident on Sunday and instructed the concerned departments to take strict and punitive action against those responsible. The suspended officials include Jaideep Chaudhary, assistant engineer of Rajkot Municipal Corporation’s town planning department; Gautam Joshi, assistant town planner of RMC; MR Suma, deputy executive engineer of Rajkot Roads and Buildings department; and police inspectors VR Patel and NI Rathod.
The facility where the fire broke out on May 25 was operating without the required fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). The game zone had received permissions from the roads and buildings department and had submitted proof of fire safety equipment, but the fire NOC was still under process and not yet completed.
The fire tragedy has shocked the nation and raised concerns about safety standards in public places. The police have arrested two individuals and registered an FIR against six partners of the game zone and another accused on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The Gujarat High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the fire tragedy, describing it as a prima facie “man-made disaster.” The court noted that highly inflammable materials such as petrol, fibers, and fiberglass sheets were stored at the facility.
The state government has formed a Special Investigation Team and announced an ex gratia payment of 4 lakhs to the families of each deceased. The central government has also announced an ex gratia payment of 2 lakhs to the next of kin of each deceased person.
