Sagar House Fire Case Takes New Turn: Survivor Accuses Local Man of Arson and Rape; Two Brothers Died

Police have arrested the accused, Faeem alias Chhotu Khan, and registered a rape case against him based on a complaint filed at the women’s police station. He has been remanded to judicial custody. The arson probe, initially treated as a routine fire incident, is now being re-examined in light of fresh allegations and statements.

According to police and family accounts, the fire broke out around midnight on December 4 when the siblings were alone at home. Their parents were away— the father working in fields and the mother visiting relatives in Sagar with the younger daughter. Villagers rushed to the spot after noticing flames engulfing the thatched house and rescued the three siblings, who were later admitted to Bundelkhand Medical College. The younger brother died on December 7, followed by the elder brother on December 13.

The surviving sister has now alleged that the house was set ablaze deliberately and that the door had been latched from outside, preventing their escape. In her statement, she claimed she saw Faeem running near the house as the fire spread rapidly. The family alleges the accused had been harassing the younger daughter for several years and had issued threats shortly before the incident.

The mother told investigators that Faeem had allegedly sent threatening messages and warned that her daughter would be forced to come out even at night. She said the family had confronted him earlier but did not lodge a formal police complaint. Following the fire, the younger daughter filed a separate complaint accusing Faeem of rape at a hotel in Sagar, leading to the registration of a sexual assault case.

Initially, an arson case was registered on December 5, and statements of the victims were recorded by revenue officials. At that stage, no specific allegation was made against any individual. Police say the delay and contradictions in statements are among the key aspects under investigation.

The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance of the matter and issued a notice to the Sagar Superintendent of Police, seeking a detailed action report within two weeks.

Additional SP Lokesh Sinha said the investigation is ongoing. “All aspects of the incident, including allegations made by the family, are being examined. Further action will follow based on evidence,” he said.