Rajkot gaming zone fire: Cannot trust government, says Gujarat High Court

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat High Court on Monday came down heavily on the BJP government of the state over the Rajkot gaming zone fire that claimed the lives of 33 people, including 9 children. Lashing out at the BJP-ruled state government, the court said that the government could not be trusted as the gaming zone had been operating for the last three years without the necessary permits. The court also took suo motu cognisance of the fire at the gaming zone.

The court also criticised the Rajkot Municipal Corporation by enumerating the lapses on the civic body's part. The gaming zone that caught fire had been operating without a license or fire protection systems. A bench comprising Biren Vaishnav and Devan Desai became furious when the Municipal Corporation informed the court that the gaming zone had not sought permission to operate.

"Were the officials sleeping? All municipal commissioners from 2021 till today are responsible for this. Each should submit separate explanations," the court observed.

The government said that there are two gaming centers operating without license in Ahmedabad and a special team has been formed to submit a report within 72 hours. The court observed that there have been six such incidents in the state in the last four years.

Following the criticism by the court, the state government transferred Rajkot Municipal and Police Commissioners. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner has been appointed in Rajkot.