Rajkot gaming zone fire: Couple married just a week ago charred to death; youth had come from Canada

Rajkot gaming zone fire: A devastating fire at a popular gaming zone in Rajkot claimed the lives of 28 persons on Saturday evening, including a newly married couple. Akshay Dholaria (24), his wife Khyati (20) and her sister Harita were among the victims who had gone to the TRP gaming zone to celebrate post-wedding festivities.

Akshay Dholaria, who resided with his parents in Canada, had returned to Rajkot to marry Khyati. They had a court marriage just a week before the tragedy, with a grand wedding ceremony planned for later this year. The newlyweds and Harita were at TRP gaming zone when a massive fire broke out, sweeping through the packed facility.

The intensity of the fire was such that the bodies were charred beyond recognition. Akshay’s body was identified by the ring he was wearing, while the bodies of Khyati and Harita have been sent for DNA testing.

The TRP gaming zone was bustling with visitors, drawn in by a weekend discount offering tickets for just Rs 99. Initial suspicions suggest the fire might have started due to a short circuit, but officials stated that the exact cause will only be known after a thorough investigation. Disturbingly, it was revealed that the amusement centre was operating without a no-objection certificate (NOC) for fire safety and had only one exit, contributing to the high casualty rate.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the tragedy and expedite the report.