Rajkot – The Rajkot Municipal Corporation has suspended two additional officials in connection with the TRP game zone fire incident, bringing the total number of suspensions to nine across various government departments. This comes after the devastating fire on Kalawad Road on the evening of June 25, which claimed 27 lives.
The government has been proactive since the incident, providing compensation to the victims' families and launching a comprehensive investigation. Arrests and suspensions have been made, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to probe the matter further.
As per the agency report, the latest suspensions include the then TPO Mansukh Sagathia and ATPO Mukesh Makwana of Rajkot Municipal Corporation. A week prior, Gautam Joshi and Rohit Vigora were suspended by direct order of the government. Mansukh Sagathia, arrested on May 28, was found to possess assets significantly exceeding his income, including a farmhouse, two bungalows, and partnerships in three petrol pumps, despite earning a monthly salary of just Rs 75,000.
The West Zone TP branch of Rajkot Municipal Corporation had previously issued a notice to TRP Game Zone operator Yuvraj Singh Solanki to demolish illegal constructions, but no action followed. Mansukh Sagathia had been working in the Town Planning branch for two decades, and the demolition file never reached the Municipal Commissioner.
Other suspended officials include RMC Assistant Town Planner Gautam D Joshi, Assistant Engineer Jaydeep Chaudhary, Deputy Executive Engineer Paras M Kothiya, Station Officer Rohit Vigora of Fire and Emergency Services, and Deputy Engineer MR Suma of the R&B Department. Additionally, two senior police inspectors, NI Rathore and VR Patel, were also suspended.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel conducted a review meeting in Gandhinagar on May 26, leading to the suspension blueprint. The investigation revealed that the operators of the TRP game zone applied for a booking license for Race Way Entertainment Amusement Park, but site inspections were neglected, and procedural paperwork was mishandled. Similarly, a booking license application in the police department showed negligence in discussing the fire NOC, highlighting significant lapses in oversight.
