Gujarat HC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance Of Rajkot Gaming Zone Fire, Initiates PIL On Safety Violations

A Bench of Justice Biren Vaishnav and Justice Devan M Desai expressed grave concern over the apparent man-made disaster that resulted in the loss of innocent lives. The Court said, “Prima-facie, a man made disaster has occurred where many lives have been lost and families have grieved today for the loss of lives in their respective families. Some newspapers also suggest that at the Rajkot Gaming Zone, there was stock of highly inflammable materials such as fuel and tyres, fiber glass shades etc. We have therefore based on these newspapers taken up suo motu cognizance of the issue and we accordingly direct the Registry based upon these articles to take up the case Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation.”

Advocate Amit Panchal submitted a note urging urgent consideration of a civil application related to fire safety in a PIL. Responding to this, the Court directed its registry to circulate both the civil application and the suo motu PIL for consideration during the next hearing.

Advocate Brijesh Trivedi represented the Gujarat High Court Bar Association in the proceedings.

The Court, upon initial observation, remarked on the tragic loss of lives, highlighting the need for scrutiny into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The fire, which occurred on Saturday evening, claimed the lives of at least 27 individuals.

The bench expressed shock at reports suggesting that the gaming zone might have exploited loopholes in the Gujarat Comprehensive General Development Control Regulations (CGDCR) to establish illegal recreational activities. Specifically, it noted allegations that the gaming zone had erected temporary tin structures to circumvent regulatory requirements.

The Court ordered, “As newspaper reports have suggested that these zones have exploited the loopholes in the CGDCR, the State as well as the respective Corporations shall point out to us as in what manner and whether such license, including the license to use and compliance of fire safety regulations were undertaken by these gaming zones that are in the territorial jurisdiction of these Corporations.”

Concluding that the disaster was likely man-made, the Court directed its registry to initiate a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) petition. It requested responses from the Municipal Corporations of Surat, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Baroda regarding the legal provisions governing the establishment and operation of such facilities.

Given reports indicating regulatory exploitation and safety violations, the Court instructed the state and the respective corporations to clarify the licensing processes and compliance with fire safety regulations for these gaming zones within their jurisdictions.

Cause Title: Suo Motu v. State Of Gujarat