A family gathering meant to spend precious time with a gravely ill elder turned into a catastrophe for the Aggarwal family in New Delhi. Eight family members staying at a hotel near Max Hospital in Saket died in a fire on Wednesday. The patriarch, 75-year-old Radheshyam, is undergoing treatment for a lung infection at the hospital and has not yet been informed of the tragedy.
Family Rushed to Be with Ailing Patriarch
Relatives sitting in the hospital waiting area recalled how doctors had recently informed them that Radheshyam did not have much time left. "We were here just a few days ago when doctors broke the news. The family had booked rooms nearby so they could spend as much time as possible with him," said 59-year-old Lata Aggarwal, a relative. Family members had traveled from Rajasthan, Bengaluru, and Gurgaon to be with the patriarch.
Victims Included Young and Old
Among the deceased were Radheshyam's wife, Premlata (70), son Vivek (47), daughter-in-law Tarjani (42), and granddaughter Varya, fondly called Pearl (16), who had traveled from their home in Gurgaon. His elder granddaughter, Jivisha, known as Angel (20), had flown in from Bengaluru just hours before the incident. Vivek, a chartered accountant, worked as the CFO of a private insurtech company. Tarjani, a beauty pageant title-holder, was employed with an event management firm. Angel was pursuing a BTech degree, while Pearl had recently scored 97% in her Class X examinations.
Also staying at the hotel were Premlata's sister Kamla (52), her brother Ashok (56), and brother-in-law Jhaveri, who had traveled from Kishangarh in Rajasthan's Ajmer. They had planned to return home earlier but the family persuaded them to extend their stay. Kamla and Ashok died in the fire while Jhaveri remains missing.
Frantic Calls and Alleged Delays
According to relatives, Vivek managed to make a frantic call to his cousin after the fire broke out. "His brother contacted another cousin who lives in Kotla Mubarakpur, and he rushed to the spot with his wife," Lata said. Among those who rushed to the site was Swati, Vivek's sister-in-law. "We pulled him out and tried administering CPR, but by then he had inhaled too much smoke," Swati told TOI.
The family also alleged delays in the emergency response. "Vivek called us around 8.45am. The fire tenders reached almost when we did, nearly 45 minutes later," she claimed, adding that the narrow lane made access difficult for fire vehicles. When asked for a response, a senior fire official denied the allegation.
Heartbreaking Identification
Relatives said Tarjani was found charred to death in her room. "Her body was beyond recognition. We identified her through her jewellery," Lata said. Holding up her phone, she showed a message she had sent Tarjani that morning, informing her that breakfast would be delivered to the family — a message that would never be read.
A Family Torn Apart
The Aggarwals had once lived as a joint family in Kotla Mubarakpur before moving to Gurgaon a few years ago. Their bond, relatives said, remained as close as ever. Fighting back tears, Swati recalled holding Angel in her arms as a newborn. "Even now, her body is at AIIMS, separated from the rest of them. She was pursuing her education away from home," she said, drawing the heartbreaking parallel between life and death.
Lata remembered the family's love for traveling together and spending time with one another. Their social media posts reflected this. On Tarjani's profile, one post contains a letter to Angel: "Remember your mumma loves you fiercely, unconditionally, and with so much pride. That's one thing I hope you never forget."
