In the wake of a tragic fire at a gaming zone in Rajkot, Gujarat, that claimed the lives of 27 people, including children, the state government has taken swift action. Six Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including the Rajkot Police Commissioner, have been transferred as part of the response to the incident.
Raju Bhargava, the former Police Commissioner, has been replaced by Brijesh Kumar Jha. Vidhi Choudhary, Additional Commissioner of Police, and Sudhirkumar J Desai, DCP-Zone 2, Rajkot, have also been transferred, according to a government notification.
In addition to the changes in the police force, the Rajkot Municipal Commissioner, Anand Patel, has been transferred and replaced by DP Desai, who previously served as the CEO of the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA). These high-profile transfers come in the wake of intense scrutiny from the Gujarat High Court.
Gujarat | Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava transferred, replaced by IPS officer Brijesh Kumar Jha pic.twitter.com/d4BH3FhlyB
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2024
The High Court raised questions about the accountability of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation and the state government in allowing such a large structure to operate in close proximity to residential areas. It criticized the government for its reactive approach, stating that it only springs into action after tragedies occur.
The court specifically called out all Rajkot municipal commissioners since the establishment of the TRP game zone in 2021, holding them responsible for the incident.
ALSO READ: “Twin Fire Tragedies in Rajkot and Delhi Expose Critical Safety Failures”
As a result of the court’s directives, each municipal commissioner has been instructed to submit individual affidavits. The court’s lack of faith in the state machinery was evident, with the bench expressing disappointment in the repeated failures to address safety concerns despite previous court orders and assurances.
Earlier in the day, the Gujarat government ordered the suspension of six officials directly linked to the fire tragedy. These include officials from the Rajkot Municipal Corporation’s town planning department and the Roads and Buildings department, as well as police inspectors.
This move reflects the government’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for their roles in the incident.
The fire at the TRP game zone in Rajkot’s Nana-Mava locality shocked the nation and led to widespread calls for action to prevent such tragedies in the future. Both the state and central governments have announced ex gratia payments to the families of the deceased, acknowledging the immense loss suffered by the community.
As investigations continue into the cause of the fire, authorities are under increasing pressure to ensure accountability and implement stricter safety measures to prevent similar incidents.
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