A significant development has taken place in the tragic TRP Game Zone fire case from Rajkot. The Rajkot sessions court, on Wednesday, granted bail to Dhaval Thakkar, who was the final accused remaining in judicial custody. With this order, all 15 individuals accused in the case are now out on bail.
The Final Bail Order and Legal Grounds
Dhaval Thakkar, who served as the manager of the ill-fated recreational facility, walked out of jail after the court's decision. Special public prosecutor Tushar Gokani explained that the bail was granted primarily on the grounds of parity. This legal principle was applied because several of Thakkar's co-accused had already been enlarged on bail by higher courts, including the Supreme Court and the Gujarat High Court.
A Long Legal Road Ahead
While the accused are now on bail, the judicial process is far from over. The trial in the case is currently underway. However, legal observers anticipate that the proceedings will stretch for a considerable period. The primary reason for this expected delay is the sheer volume of evidence and testimonies to be examined. Authorities have scheduled to examine more than 300 witnesses in connection with the case, a process that will likely take months, if not years, to complete.
Recalling the Tragedy and the Accused
The case stems from a devastating fire on May 25, 2024, at the TRP Game Zone located in Rajkot's Nana Mauva area. The inferno claimed the lives of 27 people, leading to public outrage and a high-profile investigation. The composition of the accused list has been a notable aspect of this case. Of the total 15 accused, eight were employees of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC). This has raised serious questions about administrative oversight and regulatory failures. Furthermore, some of these officials also face separate charges related to possessing disproportionate assets, adding another layer to the legal complexities.
The grant of bail to all accused marks a procedural phase in the case, but the quest for justice for the 27 victims and their families continues as the painstaking trial process moves forward.
