A devastating fire that engulfed a five-storey residential building in southeast Delhi's Tughlaqabad Extension early Friday, claiming three lives and injuring five, was not an accident but a deliberate act of arson, police said. The blaze was allegedly sparked over a monetary dispute with a tenant.
Arrests Made in Connection with Fatal Fire
Three individuals—Sarita (27), Niranjan (33), and Rajkumar (27)—have been arrested, while a 17-year-old girl has been apprehended. The fire broke out at 2:24 am on June 12 in Street No. 1, Madhyam Marg. The victims included Pankaj Pandey (28), his sister Soni (20), and their grandmother Sushila Devi (70). Deepak, the tenant whose scooter was targeted, was away in Agra, but his wife Mumtaz is in the ICU at Safdarjung Hospital. Her sisters Seema (16) and Kareena (18) were admitted to AIIMS.
Investigation Shift After CCTV Footage
Initially, police registered a case under BNS sections for negligent handling of fire and causing death by negligence. However, the investigation took a turn after CCTV footage showed a girl entering the building shortly before the fire. The teenager from Govindpuri confessed that Sarita had instructed her to set fire to Deepak's scooter, a bike taxi driver living on the fifth floor.
Recce and Execution of Arson Plot
Sarita allegedly conducted a week-long recce, identifying the building and the scooter. On the day of the incident, she took the minor on her scooty to the location, handed her petrol and matches, and after the scooter was set ablaze, both fled. CCTV captured them traveling together before and after the fire.
During questioning, Sarita claimed she acted on behalf of Niranjan and Rajkumar, Deepak's cousins. She alleged Deepak had borrowed Rs 40,000–50,000 from her and failed to repay despite repeated demands. Police are verifying these claims and investigating if Sarita had threatened Deepak.
Motive Beyond Money Dispute
Deepak's brother alleged the motive was personal. "Deepak advised our cousin against getting involved with Sarita as he was married with three children, so she plotted revenge," he said. Deepak, who narrowly escaped being in the city, guided his wife Mumtaz to safety over the phone, but she re-entered the building to rescue her sisters and a pet cat.
Police have added sections for criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, mischief by fire, and lurking house-trespass by night. Sarita, Niranjan, and Rajkumar have been remanded to two-day police custody.
