Key facts
- A 17-year-old girl and three adults have been apprehended in connection with a fatal fire in Govindpuri, Delhi.
- The fire, which occurred on June 12, resulted in three deaths and eight injuries.
- Police are investigating the incident as a deliberate act of arson.
- The alleged motive involves a monetary dispute and a personal grievance.
- The apprehended individuals include a minor, Sarita, Niranjan, and Rajkumar.
The Delhi Police have apprehended a 17-year-old girl and three adults for their alleged involvement in a fire that occurred at a residential building in southeast Delhi's Govindpuri area on June 12, resulting in three deaths and eight injuries. Initially registered under sections related to negligent conduct with fire and causing death by negligence, the investigation has now shifted to a deliberate act of arson.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage, which showed a woman entering the building shortly before the fire. This evidence led police to conclude the blaze was intentional. The 17-year-old girl, from Navjeevan Camp in Govindpuri, allegedly revealed that Sarita, a 27-year-old woman, instigated her to set a scooter parked in the building on fire. Sarita reportedly provided the petrol and a matchbox, motivated by a monetary dispute involving Deepak, a resident of the building's fifth floor.
Further investigation indicated that the conspiracy was allegedly orchestrated by brothers Niranjan (33) and Rajkumar (27), also residents of Navjeevan Camp, to settle a personal dispute. The minor, Sarita, Niranjan, and Rajkumar have been apprehended. Police have added sections of the BNS related to criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, attempt to culpable homicide, mischief by fire, and lurking house-trespass by night. The investigation is ongoing.