On Thursday(4th July),The Gujarat High Court criticized the state government for delays in demolishing an illegal structure linked to the Rajkot game zone fire, which claimed 27 lives. The court’s scrutiny came during a suo motu PIL initiated post-tragedy, as detailed in a recent affidavit.
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GUJARAT: On Thursday(4th July),The Gujarat High Court once again expressed severe criticism towards the state government regarding the Rajkot game zone fire incident that tragically claimed 27 lives in May. The court questioned the prolonged inaction on a demolition order against the illegal structure, which had remained unexecuted for nearly a year.
During the session, an affidavit was presented to the division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi. This affidavit was in connection with a suo motu PIL (public interest litigation) that the court had initiated on May 26, a day following the disastrous fire.
The Gujarat government also submitted its “fact-finding inquiry” report in a sealed cover to the High Court. Previously, the bench had expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing investigation into the fire, prompting an order for a “fact-finding inquiry” to investigate how the illegal game zone was established and the involvement of officials in this process.
This dissatisfaction had led to the formation of a “fact-finding committee” by the Gujarat government. The committee included IAS officers Manisha Chandra (Commissioner of Rural Development), P Swaroop (Commissioner of Land Reforms), and Rajkumar Beniwal (Vice Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Gujarat Maritime Board).
Chronology of Events
On May 25, a devastating fire broke out in the TRP game zone in Rajkot, resulting in the loss of 27 lives. The following day, May 26, the Gujarat High Court took suo motu cognizance of the tragedy and initiated a PIL to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.
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Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi, in their initial hearings, expressed their frustration with the lack of action, questioning-
Why was there a nearly year-long delay in executing the demolition order for the illegal structure?
This query underscored the urgency and gravity of the situation, highlighting the need for immediate and decisive action.
In response to the court’s directive, the Gujarat government constituted a fact-finding committee. The committee’s mandate was to uncover how the illegal game zone had come into existence and the roles played by various officials in this process. The involvement of high-ranking IAS officers, such as Manisha Chandra, P Swaroop, and Rajkumar Beniwal, was intended to ensure a thorough and unbiased investigation.
The report generated by this committee was subsequently submitted to the High Court in a sealed cover. This action was in compliance with the court’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent inquiry.
The High Court has remained vigilant in its oversight of the investigation. The bench has repeatedly emphasized the need for accountability and transparency in uncovering the facts surrounding the fire. The court’s insistence on a detailed fact-finding inquiry reflects its commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
As the investigation progresses, the Gujarat High Court continues to monitor the situation closely. The court’s determination to hold those responsible accountable is evident in its repeated demands for answers and action.
Chief Justice Agarwal criticized the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) for its failure to take timely action against the illegal TRP game zone, despite being fully aware of its unauthorized status. The issue was brought to light during the court proceedings on Thursday when the state’s affidavit was reviewed. The Chief Justice highlighted the negligence of the municipal officials, emphasizing the gravity of their inaction.
“The RMC issued a demolition order. A year has passed since then (until the fire incident). Why was it not carried out? Where is the accountability? This demolition order indicates that officials were aware of the structure’s illegality.”
-the Chief Justice stated, questioning the delay in executing the demolition order served in June 2023.
Advocate General Kamal Trivedi defended the current Municipal Commissioner, noting that the Town Planning Officer (TPO) and an Assistant TPO had been suspended for their negligence. However, Chief Justice Agarwal deemed this response insufficient.
“Taking action against a few individuals won’t suffice. The entire approach needs reassessment. There are evident loopholes and lapses that require immediate attention. This situation is unacceptable for the state, and addressing these incidents is of utmost importance.”
-remarked the Chief Justice, underscoring the need for systemic changes within the RMC.
The court expressed displeasure over the state’s explanation that the former Municipal Commissioner was unaware of the illegal structure, as the matter was handled by the TPO and his office, with the demolition notice being issued by the TPO.
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“You cannot claim ignorance; that is not an excuse. As the head of an institution, I must take responsibility for everything, whether positive or negative. This accountability is essential.”
– the Chief Justice asserted, stressing the importance of accountability at the highest levels of the organization.
The court has requested the submission of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report, appointed by the state government, as well as an Action Taken Report by July 25, when the matter will be heard again. This step is crucial as the investigation is still pending, and the court is keen to understand the full scope of the issue.
The urgency of this matter was underscored by the tragic incident that occurred on May 25, when a massive fire engulfed the TRP game zone in the Nana-Mava locality of Rajkot city, resulting in the deaths of twenty-seven individuals, including four children. The subsequent investigation revealed that the game zone was operating without the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the RMC’s fire department.
