The massive fire on June 12 in the TKD Extension area of Tughlakabad, which was initially believed to be an accident, has now been confirmed to be a result of deliberate arson. Delhi police arrested four people, including a 17-year-old girl, for allegedly triggering the blaze that killed three members of a family early on Friday.
“During the probe, teams examined CCTV footage from the area and noticed a woman entering the premises shortly before the fire broke out. Based on the evidence collected, police concluded that the blaze was a deliberate act of arson,” DCP (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said in a statement.
The case was initially registered under Sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to fire) and 106(1) (causing death negligence) of the BNS.
The 17-year-old who hails from Navjeevan Camp in Govindpuri was identified based on CCTV footage.
After she was apprehended, she revealed that a 27-year-old woman, Sarita, had allegedly instigated her to set the scooter parked in the building on fire.
“She told us that Sarita had instigated her, providing petrol and a matchbox to set ablaze the scooter of one Deepak, a resident of the fifth floor of the building, over a monetary dispute,” the DCP said.
Sarita reportedly provided the minor with petrol and matches for the act.
She was motivated by a monetary dispute involving Deepak, a resident of the fifth floor of the building.
The investigation also revealed that the conspiracy was allegedly orchestrated by Niranjan (33) and his brother Rajkumar (27), both residents of Navjeevan Camp in Govindpuri, to settle a personal dispute, according to police.
Police have now added charges based on sections related to criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, attempt to culpable homicide, mischief by fire and lurking house-trespass by night under the BNS.
The fire spread through the residential building Tughlakabad Extension around 2.30 am on Friday, June 12. 70-year-old Sushila Devi, her grandson Pankaj Pandey, 28, and granddaughter Soni, 20, were all killed in the blaze. That building reportedly had no means of escape and lacked fire exits, ventilation systems, and firefighting equipment.
Their family members, Guddi Devi, 50, and Mani, 18, were injured. Three other women living on the top floor of the apartments were also injured.
Police noted that the fire started in the ground-floor parking area where seven two-wheelers were parked.
