The head of the SIT formed to investigate the death of 27 people in the fire in Rajkot Game Zone in Ahmedabad said on Wednesday that if there is a need for investigation, he has been given permission to interrogate senior IAS and IPS officers also.
In a related development, Rajkot Collector said that DNA samples of all the victims have been matched with their relatives.
Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Shanghvi met SIT members in Gandhinagar and reviewed the progress in the investigation, after which Special Investigation Team chief Subhash Trivedi spoke to the media.
"We have been directed to investigate the role of officials associated with the Rajco Municipal Corporation, fire department, police and power utility firm and take strict action if found guilty," Trivedi said.
On May 25, a massive fire broke out at the entertainment facility TRP Game Zone, killing 27 people, including children, forcing the state government to form an SIT. The SIT includes Technical Education Commissioner BN Pani, Gandhinagar-based Forensic Science Laboratory director HP. Sanghvi, Ahmedabad Chief Fire Officer JN Khadia and Road and Building Department Superintending Engineer MB Desai.A separate investigation is being conducted by Rajkot police who have arrested five people so far.
“The Minister of State for Home (Sanghvi) has clearly told us to interrogate senior government employees, including IAS and IPS officers, if necessary. SIT will call him for investigation in the coming days. The SIT is probing the role of each of the seven government employees, including two police officers already suspended. Trivedi said, since the game zone operators had stored more than 30 liters of petrol in their premises, which was in excess.On exceeding the permissible limit, relevant sections under the Petroleum Act will be added to the FIR.
“The minister has asked us to conduct a thorough investigation so that action can be taken against those responsible for this tragedy. This is a foolish matter. A commercial structure was erected on a piece of land without obtaining N (non-agricultural) clearance. Police will record the statement under section 164 of CrPC,” Trivedi said.
Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) deals with recording of statement by a Magistrate.He said Director General of Police (DGP) Vikas Sahay is monitoring the investigation being conducted by Rajkot Police into the incident.
Meanwhile, Rajkot Collector Prabhav Joshi announced that the DNA samples of all the 27 deceased, whose burnt bodies were recovered from the debris, have matched those of their relatives and there are no more claimants as of now.
In a related development, Rajkot Collector said that DNA samples of all the victims have been matched with their relatives.
Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Shanghvi met SIT members in Gandhinagar and reviewed the progress in the investigation, after which Special Investigation Team chief Subhash Trivedi spoke to the media.
"We have been directed to investigate the role of officials associated with the Rajco Municipal Corporation, fire department, police and power utility firm and take strict action if found guilty," Trivedi said.
On May 25, a massive fire broke out at the entertainment facility TRP Game Zone, killing 27 people, including children, forcing the state government to form an SIT. The SIT includes Technical Education Commissioner BN Pani, Gandhinagar-based Forensic Science Laboratory director HP. Sanghvi, Ahmedabad Chief Fire Officer JN Khadia and Road and Building Department Superintending Engineer MB Desai.A separate investigation is being conducted by Rajkot police who have arrested five people so far.
“The Minister of State for Home (Sanghvi) has clearly told us to interrogate senior government employees, including IAS and IPS officers, if necessary. SIT will call him for investigation in the coming days. The SIT is probing the role of each of the seven government employees, including two police officers already suspended. Trivedi said, since the game zone operators had stored more than 30 liters of petrol in their premises, which was in excess.On exceeding the permissible limit, relevant sections under the Petroleum Act will be added to the FIR.
“The minister has asked us to conduct a thorough investigation so that action can be taken against those responsible for this tragedy. This is a foolish matter. A commercial structure was erected on a piece of land without obtaining N (non-agricultural) clearance. Police will record the statement under section 164 of CrPC,” Trivedi said.
Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) deals with recording of statement by a Magistrate.He said Director General of Police (DGP) Vikas Sahay is monitoring the investigation being conducted by Rajkot Police into the incident.
Meanwhile, Rajkot Collector Prabhav Joshi announced that the DNA samples of all the 27 deceased, whose burnt bodies were recovered from the debris, have matched those of their relatives and there are no more claimants as of now.
