CrimeInvestigation – Four Held After Deadly Tughlakabad Building Fire Kills Three
CrimeInvestigation – A major fire that tore through a residential building in southeast Delhi’s Tughlakabad Extension has led to the arrest of four individuals, including a teenage girl, after investigators concluded that the blaze was intentionally started. The incident claimed three lives and left several others injured, according to police officials.
Fire Spread Through Multi-Storey Building
The fire broke out in the early hours of Friday, around 2:24 am, and rapidly engulfed the building from the ground floor to the fifth floor. Emergency services rushed to the scene and rescued multiple residents trapped inside the structure.
Eight people sustained injuries in the incident and were admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre and Safdarjung Hospital for treatment. Despite medical efforts, three victims later died from severe burn injuries. The deceased were identified as Pankaj, his grandmother Sushila Devi, and his sister Sonia Kumari.
CCTV Footage Led Investigators to Suspects
During the investigation, police examined surveillance footage from the area. Officials said the footage showed a woman entering the premises shortly before the fire started, raising suspicions about the cause of the blaze.
Based on the evidence collected, investigators determined that the incident was not accidental but a deliberate act of arson. This finding prompted a deeper probe into the circumstances surrounding the fire and the people allegedly involved.
Minor Girl Allegedly Carried Out Plan
Police later apprehended a 17-year-old girl in connection with the case. During questioning, she allegedly revealed that a woman identified as Sarita, 27, had supplied her with petrol and a matchbox.
According to investigators, the teenager was instructed to target a scooter belonging to a man named Deepak, who lived on the fifth floor of the building. Authorities said the alleged motive behind the act was a financial disagreement involving the parties concerned.
Personal Dispute Said to Be Behind Conspiracy
Further investigation led police to Sarita, a resident of Govindpuri. During interrogation, she allegedly disclosed that the plan had been orchestrated by two brothers, Niranjan, 33, and Rajkumar, 27, who live in Navjeevan Camp.
Officials stated that the brothers allegedly planned the act as retaliation linked to a personal dispute. Investigators believe the fire, initially intended to damage property, ultimately escalated into a devastating tragedy that affected several families residing in the building.
Additional Charges Added in Case
Following the findings of the investigation, police expanded the scope of the case by adding several serious provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These include charges related to criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, attempt to commit culpable homicide, and house trespass during nighttime.
Authorities confirmed that all four accused, including the minor girl and the three adult suspects, have been apprehended. The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to examine the sequence of events and gather additional evidence related to the deadly fire.