Authorities in Delhi have initiated a DNA profiling process following a devastating fire that claimed four lives in the city's southern precincts over the weekend. The blaze, which erupted in a residential building housing a footwear shop, has left two victims charred beyond recognition, prompting a scientific identification effort.
DNA Collection for Identification
In a critical step towards resolving the tragedy, police have collected DNA samples from relatives of three missing men. These samples were sent for forensic analysis to establish a match with the two bodies that could not be identified visually. A senior police officer confirmed that the process of DNA profiling is now underway to bring closure to the grieving families.
The fire broke out on Saturday in the Tigri Extension-1 area of Sangam Vihar. The building served a dual purpose, functioning as both a residence and a commercial establishment for a shoe store. The inferno led to the recovery of four bodies from the site.
Identified and Unidentified Victims
Of the four deceased, two have been successfully identified by the police. They are 38-year-old Satender Gupta, who owned the shop and lived on the premises, and a tenant named Anita, aged 40. Their families have been notified.
However, the remaining two victims were severely burnt, making immediate recognition impossible. This has led to the DNA-driven investigation to determine their identities.
The Search for the Missing Trio
The case took a poignant turn when families approached the police, reporting that three men had gone missing since the day of the fire. The missing individuals have been named as Ramdin, Manglo, and Mahender. Investigators revealed that the trio had travelled from Najafgarh specifically to purchase shoes from the shop when the disaster struck.
Police are working on the theory that two of the three missing men may have been trapped inside the burning building. There is also a possibility that the third individual managed to escape but has, concerningly, not made contact with his family or the authorities since the incident. The search for him continues.
The collection of DNA samples marks a somber but necessary phase in the investigation, aiming to provide definitive answers amidst the anguish of the families awaiting news of their loved ones.
