Delhi arson tragedy: 4 held, including minor, after revenge-fuelled fire kills three in Tughlakabad

New Delhi: A 17-year-old girl is among four people who have been arrested in connection with a fire that broke out in a multi-storey residential building in Delhi’s Tughlakabad area on June 12, which left three people dead, police said on Sunday.

According to police, the blaze erupted at around 2.24 am in a five-storey building located in Tughlakabad Extension, under the Govindpuri area. At least eight people were also injured in the incident and were taken to Safdarjung Hospital and the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment.

Investigators said CCTV footage showed a woman entering the premises shortly before the fire started, leading them to conclude that the incident was a deliberate act of arson linked to a personal enmity.

During the probe, a minor girl was first apprehended, who allegedly disclosed that she had been instructed by a 27-year-old woman, Sarita, to procure petrol and a matchbox in order to set fire to a resident’s scooter following a financial dispute.

Police further said Sarita later revealed during questioning that the conspiracy was allegedly planned at the behest of two brothers, Niranjan (33) and Rajkumar (27), residents of Navjeevan Camp in Govind Puri, reportedly over a personal dispute.

All four accused, including the minor, have now been taken into custody. The deceased have been identified as Pankaj and Sonia Kumari, both children of Subhash Chand Pandey, and Sushila Devi.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including provisions relating to conspiracy, culpable homicide, and arson. Further investigation is underway.

Officials from the Delhi Fire Services said the narrow lanes in the area made rescue and firefighting operations particularly challenging.

IANS