🔥 What Happened
- Date & Location: On 4 July 2025, a fire broke out at the Vishal Mega Mart store on the second floor of a four-storey building in Karol Bagh, Delhi.
- Emergency Response: Local fire services dispatched 13 tenders and roughly 90–26 firefighters. The blaze was largely controlled by late evening.
- Casualties: Tragic loss of two lives:
- Kumar Dhirender Pratap Singh, a UPSC aspirant, trapped and succumbed to smoke while stuck in an elevator.
- Pawan Gautam, a 30-year-old lab technician, found deceased inside the store premises.
đźš’ Trapped Victim Inside the Lift
Singh’s final messages, sent around 6:51 pm, revealed he was “stuck in the lift and couldn’t breathe.” Emergency teams reportedly reached him too late. His body was recovered at 2 am when the interior was cleared.
🔍 Cause & Building Safety
- Initial Cause: Believed to be a short circuit.
- Safety Lapses: The building lacked:
- Proper fire exit access
- Functional fire extinguishers
- Active alarm systems
- Adequate ventilation and smoke evacuation
- Structural Limitations: Only two staircases, one lift, and limited escape routes exacerbated evacuation difficulties.
🧑‍⚖️ Legal Actions Underway
- FIR Filed: Authorities have registered an FIR citing Indian Penal Code provisions related to criminal negligence causing death.
- Potential Charges:
- Criminal liability for negligence if safety norms were violated.
- Civil claims may follow for wrongful death or compensation.
- Regulatory penalties including possible suspension of business license or building occupancy certificate.
🏢 Ongoing Investigation
- Evidence Collection: Police are examining CCTV footage, electrical wiring, and fire alarm records.
- Safety Audits: Delhi fire department is auditing nearby retail buildings to check for compliance with fire safety codes.
- Vishal Mega Mart’s Statement: The retailer expressed regret and stated they are cooperating with authorities, using insurance to cover damages.
🛠️ What Comes Next
- Authorities will determine:
- Whether corporate or management-level negligence can be legally established
- Appropriate penalties and compliance enforcement
- Compensation mechanisms for the victims’ families, through legal and regulatory channels
To read more Indian Laws and news, visit Legal Guide India
