New Delhi: In a significant development, the Delhi Police have officially confirmed that the devastating fire that broke out in a residential building in Shaheen Bagh, south-east Delhi, nearly a month ago was not an accident but a deliberate act of arson. The tragic incident claimed the life of a 72-year-old woman, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Police Investigation Uncovers Deliberate Act
Investigations conducted by the authorities have revealed that the fire was intentionally set by a man embroiled in a longstanding and bitter family dispute with his son and daughter-in-law. The primary suspect, identified as Mehboob Hasan, is currently absconding, and a non-bailable warrant has been issued against him in connection with this heinous crime.
Background of Family Conflict
According to police statements, Hasan's son later provided crucial information during the investigation. He disclosed that his father had been misbehaving with and taunting his wife consistently since their marriage in 2020. The harassment reportedly escalated to such an unbearable level that the couple made the difficult decision to move out in October 2022, seeking refuge in the very building that Hasan would later set ablaze.
Police suspect that deep-seated resentment and unresolved anger against his son ultimately drove Hasan to commit this extreme act of violence, putting numerous innocent lives at risk in the process.
Timeline of the Tragic Incident
The fire was first reported in the early hours of December 31, around 4:41 am, in the E-Block area of Shaheen Bagh. Emergency response teams from the local police station, along with personnel from the Delhi Fire Services, rushed to the scene immediately upon receiving the alert.
Upon arrival, responders found the building's parking area and upper floors engulfed in flames. Firefighters and police officers worked tirelessly, breaking through a wall on the third floor to rescue trapped residents from the inferno.
Fatal Consequences and Initial Charges
Among those rescued was Fazla Kishwar, a tenant residing on the second floor of the building. She was pulled from the burning structure in an unconscious state and rushed to Safdarjung Hospital for emergency medical treatment. Tragically, doctors declared her "brought dead" upon arrival at the healthcare facility.
Initially, an FIR was registered under Sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) and 106(1) (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), treating the incident as a case of negligence rather than intentional harm.
CCTV Evidence Changes Investigation Course
The investigation took a dramatic turn when police reviewed CCTV footage from the area surrounding the building. The footage clearly showed a man arriving on a scooter shortly before the fire started. The video evidence captured him retrieving a substance from the vehicle's storage compartment and deliberately setting the building ablaze.
Identification and Evidence Gathering
Authorities successfully traced the scooter to its registered owner, who revealed that his uncle, Mehboob Hasan, had been using the vehicle on the day of the incident. In a crucial breakthrough, Hasan was positively identified by his own family members as the individual visible in the CCTV footage, confirming his presence at the scene during the critical time period.
Further investigation uncovered the detailed history of domestic harassment and conflict within the family, providing crucial context and motive for the alleged crime.
Upgraded Charges Based on Evidence
Given the compelling evidence of intentional fire-setting captured on camera, combined with the established motive and identification, the case has now been converted to more serious charges. The investigation now proceeds under Sections 105 (culpable homicide) and 326(G) (mischief by injury, inundation, fire or explosive substance, etc) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), reflecting the deliberate and malicious nature of the act.
The Delhi Police continue their search for Mehboob Hasan, who remains at large despite the non-bailable warrant issued against him. The investigation underscores the tragic consequences that can emerge from unresolved family conflicts and the importance of thorough police work in uncovering the truth behind such devastating incidents.
