Karol Bagh Fire Tragedy: Delhi HC Asks NGO To File Fresh Plea Seeking Probe

Vishal Mega Mart

Following the tragic fire at Vishal Mega Mart in Karol Bagh that claimed 2 lives, NGO Kutumb approached the Delhi High Court seeking a court-monitored investigation into alleged lapses by the store management, Delhi Police, Fire Services, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

The plea was filed alongside an ongoing case related to a recent tragedy in Old Rajinder Nagar, where 3 UPSC aspirants died due to basement flooding caused by a drain burst on July 27, 2024.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal observed that the petition should be filed separately rather than being tagged to the existing matter. “It will be in the interest of the cause to file a separate petition,” the bench said, noting the ongoing case already involves numerous actions and developments.

The application was then dismissed as withdrawn.

Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh represented Kutumb in court.

Safety Violations, Licensing Concerns Raised

Kutumb’s submissions highlighted serious violations of fire safety norms and questioned the issuance of licenses and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to commercial establishments operating in congested urban areas without adequate compliance.

The NGO demanded a probe into alleged regulatory failures by the MCD, Fire Services, and Delhi Police. It also sought a detailed review of the licensing and NOC status of Vishal Mega Mart and neighboring businesses.

Further, the plea called for the immediate closure of unlicensed shopping complexes, eateries, coaching centres, and similar establishments in Karol Bagh and nearby localities until a comprehensive safety report is presented.

Calls For Police Action & Evidence Preservation

The petition urged the Delhi Police to file a status report on the FIR related to the fire and to preserve CCTV footage from July 4 to July 5.

Details

The fire, which erupted on July 5, resulted in the death of 25-year-old Dhirender Pratap, who was found trapped inside a lift and suspected to have succumbed to suffocation. His last messages to his brother revealed he was gasping for air while trapped.

A second body, badly charred and unrecognizable, was recovered during the firefighting operation.