Co-Owner Confirmed Dead in Rajkot Gaming Zone Fire, Police Arrest Another Accused
Prakashchand Hiran, also known as Prakash Jain, a co-owner of TRP Game Zone and one of the six partners facing charges of culpable homicide (not amounting to murder) in connection with the Rajkot fire, has been confirmed dead. Hiran had been reported missing by his family after the incident on May 25.
Identification of Victims
Forensic investigators confirmed on Thursday that DNA samples matched with those missing after the fire, including Hiran. Out of the 27 DNA samples and remains collected from the fire site, 25 have been identified. The 28th victim remains listed as “human remains” in the First Information Report (FIR). Other victims identified include Khyatiben Ratilal Savaliya, Haritaben Ratilal Savaliya, Tisha Ashokbhai Modasiya, Kalpesh Pravinbhai Bagda, and Mitesh Babubhai Jadav, all from Rajkot.
Additional Arrests
The Rajkot police have arrested Kiritsinh Jadeja, one of the owners of the party plot where the gaming zone was set up on Nana Mava Road. This brings the total number of arrests to four out of the six accused named in the FIR. The arrested individuals include Ashoksinh and Kiritsinh Jadeja, owners of the party plot and partners in Raceway Enterprise, along with Yuvrajsinh Solanki and Rahul Rathod, who were arrested earlier. Dhaval Thakkar, proprietor of Dhaval Corporation, was arrested on Tuesday.
Details of the Incident
The TRP Game Zone was established on JPS Party Lawns and two adjacent party plots on Nana Mava Road. The indoor gaming facilities were housed in a tin shed supported by steel frames. The structure spanned the ground floor and first floor but was as tall as a three-story building, measuring 50 meters wide and 60 meters long.
The tragic fire has sparked significant investigations and legal actions, highlighting the safety and regulatory issues surrounding such establishments.
