Delhi Tughlakabad Fire: Arson Confirmed, CCTV Reveals Woman's Role, Four Held
A fatal fire in Delhi's Tughlakabad Extension was a deliberate act of arson, not an accident. CCTV footage of a woman entering the building before the blaze led to the arrest of four individuals, including a minor, for conspiracy and setting a scooter on fire.
Key Highlights
- Fire confirmed as arson, not accidental.
- CCTV footage reveals woman's presence before blaze.
- Four arrested, including minor and alleged conspirators.
- Motive linked to financial dispute and personal vendetta.
- Tragedy highlights Delhi building safety concerns.
A devastating fire that claimed the lives of three family members in Delhi's Tughlakabad Extension on the early morning of Friday, June 12, 2026, has been confirmed as a deliberate act of arson. Initial investigations, which initially pointed towards an accidental cause possibly linked to an electric scooter being charged, took a significant turn with the recovery of crucial CCTV footage. This footage showed a woman, her face obscured, entering the residential building minutes before the blaze erupted and exiting shortly after, leading police to probe foul play. The investigation culminated in the arrest of four individuals, including a minor girl, who allegedly orchestrated the fire as part of a financial and personal dispute.
The fire broke out around 2:30 AM in a five-story residential building in Tughlakabad Extension, a densely populated area in South East Delhi. The blaze rapidly engulfed the ground floor parking, where several two-wheelers, including an electric scooter, were parked. The inferno spread quickly, filling the building with thick smoke and trapping residents. Tragically, three members of a family—70-year-old Sushila Devi, her 28-year-old grandson Pankaj Pandey, and his 20-year-old sister Soni—succumbed to their injuries. Two other relatives, Pankaj's mother Guddi Devi (50) and younger sister Moni (18), sustained critical burn injuries and were hospitalized, but are reportedly out of danger.
The initial response from authorities considered a possible electrical short circuit as the cause of the fire, with speculation focusing on an electric scooter being charged. However, the emergence of CCTV footage provided a critical new direction to the investigation. The footage, captured by a camera opposite the building, showed a woman with her face covered by a dupatta entering the premises around 2:22-2:23 AM on June 12. Within minutes, a bright flash or explosion was visible from inside the building, followed by the woman quickly exiting the premises. This sequence of events strongly suggested that the fire was not accidental.
Based on this evidence, Delhi Police registered a case and began a detailed investigation, adding charges related to criminal conspiracy and arson. The focus shifted to identifying the woman seen in the CCTV footage. This led to the apprehension of a 17-year-old girl from Navjeevan Camp in Govind Puri. During interrogation, the minor allegedly confessed to her involvement. She revealed that she had been instigated by a 27-year-old woman named Sarita, who provided her with petrol and a matchbox to set fire to a scooter belonging to Deepak, a resident of the fifth floor. This act was reportedly motivated by a monetary dispute.
Further investigation uncovered that Sarita was allegedly acting under the instructions of Niranjan (33) and his brother Rajkumar (27), both residents of Navjeevan Camp. Police suspect that the trio conspired to orchestrate the arson to settle a personal grievance or vendetta. Niranjan has a prior criminal record and was reportedly recently released from jail, with allegations of past involvement in cases using minors for illegal activities.
Following these confessions and revelations, the police arrested the 17-year-old girl, Sarita, Niranjan, and Rajkumar. The case was further strengthened by the addition of serious charges to the FIR, including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, attempt to commit culpable homicide, mischief by fire, and lurking house trespass under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The Tughlakabad tragedy has once again underscored the critical issues of building safety and fire preparedness in Delhi's densely populated unauthorized and regularized colonies. The swift action by the police, aided by technology like CCTV, helped unravel a conspiracy that could have led to even greater loss of life, while highlighting the dark underbelly of personal disputes escalating to such dangerous levels. The investigation is ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the conspiracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the fire in Tughlakabad Extension, Delhi?
The fire, initially suspected to be accidental due to an electrical short circuit, has been confirmed as deliberate arson. It was allegedly started by a 17-year-old girl who set a scooter on fire as part of a conspiracy involving a financial dispute.
How many people died in the Tughlakabad fire?
Three people lost their lives in the fire: Sushila Devi (70), Pankaj Pandey (28), and Soni (20). Two other family members were critically injured but are recovering.
Who has been arrested in connection with the Tughlakabad fire?
Four people have been arrested: a 17-year-old girl, Sarita (27), Niranjan (33), and Rajkumar (27). They are accused of conspiracy, arson, and related charges.
What role did the CCTV footage play in the investigation?
CCTV footage showing a woman entering the building shortly before the fire was crucial evidence. It helped investigators determine that the fire was not accidental and led to the identification and apprehension of the suspects.
What was the motive behind the arson?
The arson was allegedly motivated by a monetary dispute involving a parked scooter, and a personal vendetta. The conspirators aimed to settle a score rather than cause widespread destruction, but the fire escalated unexpectedly.