A tragic fire at the TRP Game Zone in Rajkot claimed the lives of 27 people on Saturday evening, including Akshay Dholaria and his wife, Khyati Svaliwea, who were celebrating their court marriage. Khyati’s sister was also among the victims. The couple had recently married in a court ceremony on May 18 and were planning a grand wedding with Hindu rituals later this year.
Akshay, 24, lived in Canada with his parents and had come to Rajkot to marry 20-year-old Khyati. Both their bodies were burnt beyond recognition. Akshay’s body was identified by the ring he was wearing, while the bodies of Khyati and her sister have been sent for DNA testing.
The fire, which erupted in the Nana-Mava locality, led to a swift police response. The Rajkot Police have registered a first information report (FIR) against six partners of the game zone on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Two individuals, including Raceway Enterprise partner Yuvrajsinh Solanki and the entertainment facility’s manager Nitin Jain, have been arrested. The other partners—Dhaval Thakkar, Ashoksinh Jadeja, Kiritsinh Jadeja, Prakashchand Hiran, and Rahul Rathod—remain at large.
The six accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 337 (causing hurt by an act endangering life), 338 (causing grievous hurt), and 114 (presence during the commission of the offense).
This tragic incident has spotlighted the dire need for strict adherence to fire safety regulations in public entertainment facilities. The inadequate fire safety measures at the TRP Game Zone have led to a devastating loss of life, prompting authorities to take stern action against those responsible. The community mourns the loss of young lives and demands improved safety standards to prevent future tragedies.
