Delhi's Tughlakabad fire that killed 3 wasn't accident. A minor executed the plan
Three people – Pankaj, Sushila Devi, and Sonia Kumari – died in the June 12 fire. Two other members of the family reportedly suffered severe injuries and remain under medical care.
What was initially believed to be an accidental fire in south-east Delhi’s Tughlakabad Extension has now emerged as an alleged case of planned arson, with Delhi Police detaining a 17-year-old girl and arresting three other individuals in connection with the deaths of three people.
Investigators say the blaze that tore through a residential building in the early hours of June 12 was not accidental, but the outcome of a conspiracy allegedly linked to a personal and financial dispute.
According to police, the fire broke out at around 2:24 am at Building No. RZ-171/1 in Tughlakabad Extension under Govindpuri police station limits.
The flames spread rapidly through the structure, engulfing multiple floors and trapping residents inside.
Eight people sustained injuries and were rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre and Safdarjung Hospital. Three later died during treatment.
The victims were identified as Pankaj, Sushila Devi, and Sonia Kumari. Two other members of the family reportedly suffered severe injuries and remain under medical care.
Police initially treated the incident as an accidental fire and registered a case under provisions relating to negligence and fire-related offences.
However, the direction of the investigation changed after CCTV footage from the area was examined.
Investigators found footage showing a woman entering the building moments before the fire erupted and leaving shortly afterwards.
The visual evidence prompted police to investigate the possibility of deliberate arson rather than an accidental blaze.
During the investigation, police identified and apprehended a 17-year-old girl from Navjeevan Camp, Govindpuri.
According to investigators, the girl admitted during questioning that she had entered the premises and set fire to a two-wheeler parked inside the building.
Police say the target was a motorcycle or scooter belonging to Deepak, a resident of the fifth floor and a relative of one of the accused.
The act was allegedly motivated by a recent financial dispute and intended as retaliation rather than an attack on the building’s occupants.
During questioning, the minor allegedly stated that Sarita, a 27-year-old woman from Girinagar, had instigated her to carry out the act and supplied petrol and a matchbox.
Police further claim Sarita acted at the behest of Niranjan, 33, and his younger brother Rajkumar, 27.
According to police, Niranjan was the key conspirator behind the plan and had allegedly sought revenge over an ongoing personal dispute.
Investigators also stated that Niranjan had previously been involved in criminal cases and had recently been released from jail.
They alleged that he had earlier been booked in cases involving the use of minors in illegal activities.
Officials said the girl had no known dispute with the people who died in the fire and that the intended target was the parked vehicle.
However, the fire quickly spread through the building, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Following these findings, Delhi Police added more serious charges to the FIR, including Sections 61 (criminal conspiracy), 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to culpable homicide), 326(g) (mischief by fire), and 331(4) (lurking house-trespass by night) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police have detained the minor and arrested Sarita, Niranjan and Rajkumar and paraded through the streets of Tughlaqabad.
Further investigation is underway to determine whether additional individuals were involved and to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the deadly fire.
What was initially believed to be an accidental fire in south-east Delhi’s Tughlakabad Extension has now emerged as an alleged case of planned arson, with Delhi Police detaining a 17-year-old girl and arresting three other individuals in connection with the deaths of three people.
Investigators say the blaze that tore through a residential building in the early hours of June 12 was not accidental, but the outcome of a conspiracy allegedly linked to a personal and financial dispute.
According to police, the fire broke out at around 2:24 am at Building No. RZ-171/1 in Tughlakabad Extension under Govindpuri police station limits.
The flames spread rapidly through the structure, engulfing multiple floors and trapping residents inside.
Eight people sustained injuries and were rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre and Safdarjung Hospital. Three later died during treatment.
The victims were identified as Pankaj, Sushila Devi, and Sonia Kumari. Two other members of the family reportedly suffered severe injuries and remain under medical care.
Police initially treated the incident as an accidental fire and registered a case under provisions relating to negligence and fire-related offences.
However, the direction of the investigation changed after CCTV footage from the area was examined.
Investigators found footage showing a woman entering the building moments before the fire erupted and leaving shortly afterwards.
The visual evidence prompted police to investigate the possibility of deliberate arson rather than an accidental blaze.
During the investigation, police identified and apprehended a 17-year-old girl from Navjeevan Camp, Govindpuri.
According to investigators, the girl admitted during questioning that she had entered the premises and set fire to a two-wheeler parked inside the building.
Police say the target was a motorcycle or scooter belonging to Deepak, a resident of the fifth floor and a relative of one of the accused.
The act was allegedly motivated by a recent financial dispute and intended as retaliation rather than an attack on the building’s occupants.
During questioning, the minor allegedly stated that Sarita, a 27-year-old woman from Girinagar, had instigated her to carry out the act and supplied petrol and a matchbox.
Police further claim Sarita acted at the behest of Niranjan, 33, and his younger brother Rajkumar, 27.
According to police, Niranjan was the key conspirator behind the plan and had allegedly sought revenge over an ongoing personal dispute.
Investigators also stated that Niranjan had previously been involved in criminal cases and had recently been released from jail.
They alleged that he had earlier been booked in cases involving the use of minors in illegal activities.
Officials said the girl had no known dispute with the people who died in the fire and that the intended target was the parked vehicle.
However, the fire quickly spread through the building, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Following these findings, Delhi Police added more serious charges to the FIR, including Sections 61 (criminal conspiracy), 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to culpable homicide), 326(g) (mischief by fire), and 331(4) (lurking house-trespass by night) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police have detained the minor and arrested Sarita, Niranjan and Rajkumar and paraded through the streets of Tughlaqabad.
Further investigation is underway to determine whether additional individuals were involved and to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the deadly fire.
