NEW DELHI: The Rajkot Police Department has filed a 1 lakh page chargesheet against 15 accused allegedly responsible for the tragic fire at the TRP Game Zone in Rajkot, Gujarat. The accused include the co-owners of the establishment and a civic official.
The devastating fire incident claimed the lives of 28 people, among them were four children under the age of 12.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Parthrajsinh Gohil, said, “Statements of 365 witnesses have been recorded. Altogether, 15 persons, including co-owners of TRP game zone and officials of Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) have been arrested.”
The charge sheet, spanning over 1 lakh pages, was filed by the crime branch in the court of Rajkot Judicial Magistrate First Class AP Dave. Gohil explained that the investigation revealed the fire rapidly spread and consumed the entire structure within a mere 3-4 minutes due to the presence of highly flammable construction materials, including foam sheets, plastic, and wood, coupled with sparks emanating from ongoing welding work at the time of the incident.
The accused individuals have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 337 (causing hurt by an act that endangers the life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt to a person by doing an act that endangers their life or personal safety), and 114 (someone present when the offence is committed).
According to police reports, construction work was underway in the snow area on the ground floor of the game zone, which involved welding. A stray welding spark ignited a nearby thermocol sheet, and the fire rapidly engulfed the entire 3,000 square metre game zone area.
The gaming zone contained various combustible materials which contributed to the flame, such as fuel, tires, fiberglass shades, and thermocol sheet partitions, which were kept for the gaming activity go-karting.
The structure itself was constructed entirely of fabrication, with tin sheet covering, exposed wiring, AC pipes, iron angles, and galvanised tin sheets. Furthermore, the presence of highly flammable tarpaulin accelerated the spread of the fire throughout the premises.
The devastating fire incident claimed the lives of 28 people, among them were four children under the age of 12.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Parthrajsinh Gohil, said, “Statements of 365 witnesses have been recorded. Altogether, 15 persons, including co-owners of TRP game zone and officials of Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) have been arrested.”
The charge sheet, spanning over 1 lakh pages, was filed by the crime branch in the court of Rajkot Judicial Magistrate First Class AP Dave. Gohil explained that the investigation revealed the fire rapidly spread and consumed the entire structure within a mere 3-4 minutes due to the presence of highly flammable construction materials, including foam sheets, plastic, and wood, coupled with sparks emanating from ongoing welding work at the time of the incident.
The accused individuals have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 337 (causing hurt by an act that endangers the life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt to a person by doing an act that endangers their life or personal safety), and 114 (someone present when the offence is committed).
According to police reports, construction work was underway in the snow area on the ground floor of the game zone, which involved welding. A stray welding spark ignited a nearby thermocol sheet, and the fire rapidly engulfed the entire 3,000 square metre game zone area.
The gaming zone contained various combustible materials which contributed to the flame, such as fuel, tires, fiberglass shades, and thermocol sheet partitions, which were kept for the gaming activity go-karting.
The structure itself was constructed entirely of fabrication, with tin sheet covering, exposed wiring, AC pipes, iron angles, and galvanised tin sheets. Furthermore, the presence of highly flammable tarpaulin accelerated the spread of the fire throughout the premises.