Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday met people injured during the police action against the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest and announced legal assistance for those detained. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal sharply criticised the Centre over the police crackdown, alleging excessive use of force against protesters and demanding transparency regarding those taken into custody.

Kejriwal later visited Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi, where several protesters were reportedly being held, and sought details from senior police officials about the cases registered following the demonstration. He also said he would visit Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital to meet those injured during the police action.

AAP Announces Legal Assistance

To support those affected by the police action, the AAP chief announced a legal assistance helpline and appealed to protesters and their families to contact the party if they required legal support.

According to Kejriwal, individuals arrested in connection with the CJP protest could seek assistance through the helpline, where a dedicated legal team would provide guidance and representation if required.

Demands Transparency on Detentions

Kejriwal urged the Delhi Police to publicly release the complete list of First Information Reports (FIRs) registered in connection with the protest. He also demanded details of those allegedly detained without formal FIRs, including the locations where they were being held.

He said such information was essential so that families searching for missing relatives could know their whereabouts.

Criticises Police Action

During the press conference, Kejriwal alleged that videos circulating on social media showed excessive force being used against protesters. Referring to these videos, he claimed that peaceful demonstrators, including young participants, had been subjected to unnecessary force.

He further criticised the government's handling of the protest and accused the authorities of attempting to intimidate citizens participating in demonstrations.

Visit to Police Stations

The AAP chief stated that after meeting injured protesters at the hospital, he would also visit Parliament Street and Mandir Marg Police Stations, where, according to the party, several protesters had been detained.

Kejriwal said he intended to seek official information regarding those arrested and the legal proceedings initiated after the protest.

Political Reactions Continue

The police action on CJP protesters has triggered a political confrontation, with opposition parties questioning the government's response to the demonstration, while authorities have maintained that law enforcement acted to maintain public order.

The incident has also intensified the ongoing political debate over the handling of protests and public demonstrations, with opposition leaders demanding accountability and greater transparency from the administration.

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday appealed to Delhi Police to allow temporary tents at Jantar Mantar, where students protesting against alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks have been staging a hunger strike despite continuous rainfall.

A video shared by Dipke on social media showed him requesting permission from police personnel and touching their feet while urging them to allow shelters for the students. According to Dipke, the protesters have been getting drenched in the rain, making the hunger strike increasingly difficult.

In his post, Dipke said the request was made purely on humanitarian grounds, stating that students participating in the indefinite hunger strike needed protection from the weather. He appealed to authorities to permit temporary tents so that protesters could continue their demonstration safely.

The Cockroach Janata Party has been holding protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar since 20 June, demanding action over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the alleged NEET paper leak. The party is also seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing the government of failing to ensure transparency in recruitment and entrance examinations.

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has joined the agitation, has reportedly been on a hunger strike for the past 12 days at the protest site. The continuing rainfall in the national capital has added to the challenges faced by protesters camping at the venue.

Protest expands beyond Delhi

According to the party, demonstrations supporting the movement have also been organised in multiple cities across the country. The campaign has focused on demanding greater accountability in examination systems and stronger safeguards against alleged paper leaks.

Party's unusual origins

The Cockroach Janata Party was launched in May 2026 following remarks made by Chief Justice Surya Kant during a court hearing on 15 May. During the proceedings, the Chief Justice reportedly referred to some unemployed youth as "cockroaches" who later become media persons, social media influencers or RTI activists and challenge the system.

The remark sparked widespread debate online. The following day, Abhijeet Dipke announced the formation of the Cockroach Janata Party and launched its social media presence.

On 22 May, Dipke also initiated an online petition seeking the resignation of the Union Education Minister over alleged failures in handling examination-related controversies. The campaign reportedly received support from more than eight lakh people.

Rapid social media growth

The newly formed political outfit has witnessed an unprecedented rise on social media. According to figures shared by the party, its Instagram following crossed 2.79 crore, making it one of the country's most-followed political organisations on the platform.

About Abhijeet Dipke

Abhijeet Dipke, 30, hails from Sambhaji Nagar in Maharashtra and studied journalism in Pune. A digital media strategist by profession, he is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Public Relations at Boston University in the United States. He has previously been associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) before launching the Cockroach Janata Party.

The Delhi Police has not officially responded to Dipke's request for permission to install temporary tents at the protest site. The agitation continues at Jantar Mantar amid intermittent rain, with protesters reiterating their demand for reforms in the country's examination system.

Lieutenant Governor Tarunjit Singh Sandhu attended the event as the chief guest and took the salute during the parade. Senior police officers, including Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, along with serving personnel, veterans and invited citizens, were present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Sandhu said the nature of crime in Delhi is changing rapidly and requires law enforcement agencies to continuously adapt their strategies. He noted that maintaining law and order in a city as large and complex as Delhi involves not only crime control but also ensuring the safety and confidence of citizens.

The Lieutenant Governor stressed that policing must become increasingly transparent, accountable and citizen-focused. According to him, public trust remains one of the most important foundations of effective policing, and strengthening that trust should remain a priority for the force.

He underlined four key principles that, in his view, should guide modern policing—visibility, humanity, integrity and technology-driven operations. Sandhu said a police force that remains accessible to people, acts with sensitivity and embraces technological advancements is better equipped to respond to emerging challenges.

The event also served as an opportunity to showcase the commitment and preparedness of Delhi Police personnel. Parade contingents displayed discipline and coordination, reflecting the force’s operational readiness and professional standards.

Referring to emerging threats, Sandhu said technological innovation is becoming increasingly important in law enforcement. He emphasized the need for police personnel to remain updated with modern tools and investigative methods, particularly in areas such as cybercrime, digital surveillance, data analysis and intelligence gathering.

Officials present at the ceremony highlighted the importance of continuous training and skill development for police personnel. As crime patterns evolve, law enforcement agencies are required to enhance both technological capabilities and field-level response mechanisms.

The Lieutenant Governor also spoke about the importance of community participation in crime prevention. He said effective policing cannot function in isolation and requires active cooperation between citizens and law enforcement agencies. Public awareness, timely reporting of suspicious activities and constructive engagement with police can significantly strengthen security efforts, he added.

According to officials, Delhi Police has increasingly focused on integrating technology into its operations while expanding community outreach programmes. The force has also been working on improving public service delivery and enhancing responsiveness through digital platforms and modern communication systems.

Commissionerate Day is observed as a significant occasion for Delhi Police, recognizing the contributions of officers and personnel who work across various units responsible for law and order, traffic management, crime investigation, security operations and emergency response in the capital.

The ceremony concluded with a renewed emphasis on professional excellence, public service and innovation in policing. Officials reiterated that Delhi Police remains committed to creating a safer environment for residents while adapting to the challenges posed by a rapidly changing urban landscape.

As Delhi continues to expand and face new security concerns, the focus on technology, accountability and citizen engagement is expected to remain central to the force’s long-term strategy.

 In a major twist in the ongoing investigation into the murder of an 11-year-old girl in South Delhi, medical evaluation reports have revealed that the prime accused suffers from erectile dysfunction. Police sources confirmed on Thursday that a comprehensive medical examination proved the accused cab driver, identified as Bashu Kumar Singh, is clinically impotent.

During sustained interrogation following his arrest, Singh reportedly confessed to investigators that he had initially abducted the minor with the intent to sexual assault her on the rear seat of his commercial vehicle. However, due to his medical condition, he failed to execute the assault.

Fearing exposure, the accused allegedly threatened the child with dire consequences to keep her from screaming, drove her to a deserted forest patch near the Faridabad-Gurugram border, and brutally murdered her before concealing the body beneath a pile of heavy stones.

Victim Woke Up Screaming; Father Chased Cab

The harrowing sequence of events began early Monday morning when the victim's family of five was sleeping on a footpath near CDR Chowk. The 11-year-old was sleeping right beside her parents when the accused parked his app-based cab with the rear door already open.

According to the police tracking timeline:

• Abduction: Singh stealthily scooped the sleeping child into his lap and laid her onto the back seat of the commercial vehicle.

• The Chase: As the car sped away, the girl woke up and screamed out for her father. The screams alerted the sleeping family. The victim's father desperately chased the fleeing vehicle, hurling sticks to force it to a halt, but the cab managed to break away.

• The Route: The distraught father could only identify that the vehicle bore a yellow commercial registration plate. Investigators later established that the accused drove the panicked child for approximately 10 to 12 kilometers toward Mandi Road near Fatehpur Beri.

Accused Cleaned Up and Returned to Work Before Arrest

Following the murder and disposal of the body at the interstate border, the accused drove back to his rented accommodation in Gurugram. In a display of chilling normalcy, Singh changed his clothes and immediately returned to the streets to resume his regular duties as a cab driver.

The breakthrough came within a matter of hours. A dedicated police team mapped out digital footprints by reviewing CCTV cameras installed across commercial establishments near the abduction site. Tracing the trajectory of the yellow-plate vehicle led them directly to Singh's hideout, resulting in his swift arrest.

Shot in the Leg During Custodial Escape Attempt

The development comes a day after Singh was shot in the left leg during a police encounter on Wednesday. The confrontation took place when an investigative unit escorted the accused back to the dense forest patch to recreate the crime scene and recover forensic links.

"While the team was mapping out the terrain, the accused attempted to overpower the accompanying personnel and break custody to flee. Officers opened fire in self-defense and to stop his escape, hitting him in the leg," a senior Delhi Police official stated.

Images from the encounter site showed security personnel carrying the wounded suspect out of the rugged terrain on their shoulders. Singh is currently admitted to a state-run medical facility under heavy guard, where he remains under treatment while legal sections are being upgraded following his detailed confessions.

The prime accused in the brutal abduction, rape, and murder of an 11-year-old girl in south Delhi was injured in a police encounter late Tuesday night. According to police officials, the confrontation occurred when a team took the accused to the Mehrauli forest area to recreate the crime scene as part of the ongoing investigation.

The accused, identified as Bablu, an app-based cab driver originally from Bihar, allegedly attempted to flee police custody at the site. To prevent his escape, a police team fired at him, hitting him in his left leg. He was subsequently carried out of the forested terrain by security personnel and admitted to a nearby government hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment under tight security.

Abducted While Sleeping on Footpath

The chilling crime came to light early Monday morning. The victim, part of a migrant family of daily-wage laborers, lived on a footpath near CDR Chowk and supported her family by selling balloons. She was one of four siblings.

According to details emerging from police interrogations, Bablu was driving past the stretch early Monday when he spotted the minor sleeping on the pavement.

"The accused confessed that he picked up the girl in her sleep, placed her on the rear seat of his taxi, and drove deep into the Mehrauli forest area," a senior police officer close to the investigation said.

After allegedly assaulting and murdering the child, the accused dumped her body in the dense undergrowth.

Arrested Within Four Hours

The incident was first flagged around 6:00 AM on Monday when the victim's family noticed her missing and raised an alarm via a PCR call to the Mehrauli police station.

Plugging into local intelligence and reviewing a network of CCTV feeds from routes leading away from CDR Chowk, investigators managed to zero in on the suspect vehicle. A combination of digital surveillance and a tip-off from a local informant led to Bablu's arrest within four hours of the initial complaint.

Following his subsequent confession during intense questioning, police teams launched a search operation and recovered the minor's body from the Mehrauli forest. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, and forensic teams have secured vital biological evidence from the suspect's vehicle.

Accused Has Prior Criminal Record

Mehrauli police revealed that the accused cab driver has a history of run-ins with the law. Preliminary verification of his background indicates existing police records against him for physical assault and operating commercial vehicles under the influence of alcohol.

While the accused continues to recover from his bullet wound under heavy police guard at the hospital, legal proceedings under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act are being fast-tracked. Further forensic reports from the crime scene reconstruction are awaited.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of vulnerable children living on the streets in the national capital. Police say the investigation is progressing rapidly and forensic evidence is being examined.

An 11-year-old girl was allegedly abducted and killed in Delhi's Mehrauli area, prompting swift police action that led to the arrest of a cab driver within hours of her disappearance. According to police, the child went missing early Monday morning, after which her family alerted authorities through a PCR call. Investigators launched an immediate search operation using CCTV footage, local intelligence and technical inputs. The accused was later taken into custody, and the girl's body was recovered based on information provided during questioning. Police have sent the body for post-mortem examination and initiated further legal proceedings. The case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by economically vulnerable families living in public spaces across the city.

According to officials, the victim belonged to a family that survived through daily wage work and informal street vending. The girl reportedly sold balloons and other small items to support her family. Her parents work as daily labourers and have been living on a footpath after facing financial difficulties.

Police said the missing child report was received around 6 a.m. on Monday. Following the complaint, investigators reviewed surveillance footage and gathered information from multiple sources, eventually identifying a suspect.

Investigation Moves Quickly

Authorities stated that the accused, an app-based cab driver, was detained and questioned shortly after being identified. During the investigation, police recovered the girl's body from a forested area in Mehrauli based on the suspect's disclosure.

Officials said forensic evidence and the post-mortem report will play a crucial role in determining the sequence of events and strengthening the prosecution's case. Further investigation remains underway.

Family Background

According to police sources, the victim's family originally hails from Bihar and had previously lived in rented accommodation. Financial hardship reportedly forced them to vacate their home, after which they began living on the roadside.

Police records indicate that the accused is also from Bihar. Authorities said he had previously faced cases related to assault and driving under the influence, though investigators are examining whether those incidents have any connection to the current case.

Concerns Over Child Safety

The case has renewed concerns about the safety of children living in vulnerable conditions in urban areas. Child rights advocates have repeatedly called for stronger protection mechanisms for families residing on footpaths and in temporary settlements.

Officials said relevant legal provisions relating to the alleged crimes have been invoked and the investigation is being monitored closely. Once the inquiry is completed, a detailed chargesheet will be filed before the court. The case remains under active investigation by Delhi Police.

The Cockroach Janata Party has placed posters of students who died by suicide following the NEET paper leak, demanding ₹1 crore compensation for each family.

Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke arrived at the Jantar Mantar protest site in Delhi on Saturday, with organizers displaying posters of NEET aspirants who have died by suicide following the examination paper leak controversy.

Delhi Police has granted permission for the protest, which has drawn a significant turnout according to early visuals from the site. The demonstration comes amid growing outrage over student suicides linked to the NEET paper leak, with 13 such deaths reported across the country in the past 38 days.

Dipke's Letter to PM Modi

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, Dipke demanded ₹1 crore compensation for the families of each student who died by suicide. He also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

"The atmosphere in the country is affecting the lives and mental health of youth," Dipke wrote in the letter, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Despite re-exams being held, student suicides have not stopped, and the government should focus on the real problem, he said. Dipke warned that if no action is taken, frustration among students and parents may increase further.

The Five Key Demands

The CJP has outlined five key demands in its protest:

1. Immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

2. ₹1 crore compensation for families of students who died by suicide

3. Comprehensive investigation into the NEET paper leak

4. Systemic reforms in the examination process

5. Mental health support for students preparing for competitive exams

Background: The Birth of CJP

The Cockroach Janta Party was launched after a controversial remark by Justice Suryakant during a court hearing on May 15, when he reportedly compared some unemployed youths to "cockroaches" who challenge the system through media, social media or RTI activism.

A day later, US-based Abhijeet Dipke launched the CJP and created social media accounts for the movement. The 30-year-old is a digital media strategist from Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, who studied journalism in Pune and is currently pursuing a master's degree in public relations at Boston University.

On May 22, the group started an online petition seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, which it claimed received support from more than 800,000 people.

Social Media Surge

The party's social media presence grew rapidly. By June 10, its Instagram account had reportedly crossed 22.7 million followers, though the number has since fallen by around 200,000. Even after the decline, CJP's follower count remains higher than that of both the BJP and the Congress on Instagram. The group also has around 279,000 followers on X.

Appeal to Political Leaders

Dipke appealed to political leaders concerned about students' future to come forward in support. "Whatever political leaders are concerned about the future of students and believe that paper leaks are damaging the country's education system, they should come forward in support of students," he said.

He confirmed that he has not had any conversation with Rahul Gandhi regarding the issue. Dipke also criticized the political class, saying leaders have money to win over MLAs and MPs but not to help students' families.

"The education system is gradually turning into a business, and public representatives are more interested in running private institutions rather than strengthening government schools," he said.

The Toll on Students

The protest comes amid a heartbreaking toll. In the past 38 days, 13 students related to the NEET exam have died by suicide across the country. In Indore, a female student preparing for NEET fell from the third floor late Thursday night and died on Friday morning. A video of the student's fall has also surfaced.

Previous Protests

The CJP has previously held demonstrations at Jantar Mantar on June 6. The party has also organized protests in Pune, Lucknow, Amritsar, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Nagpur so far.

Saturday's protest at Jantar Mantar has seen a better turnout than the previous demonstration, according to reports from the site. Supporters were seen waving the Indian flag and party flags during the protest, carrying CJP posters and placards demanding justice for students.

Three members of a family killed and several injured in a late-night residential blaze at Tughlakabad Extension; fire reportedly spread from ground-floor parking area.

NEW DELHI — A devastating late-night fire ripped through a five-storey residential building in Southeast Delhi’s Tughlakabad Extension area early Friday morning, leaving three members of a family dead and several others injured. The fire, which initial inquiries suggest was triggered by an electrical short circuit on the ground floor, quickly engulfed seven parked two-wheelers, turning the building's stilt parking area into a raging inferno within minutes.

The emergency calls started flooding the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) control room between 2:35 am and 2:37 am. As thick smoke billowed through the narrow alleyways of Gali Number 1 near the Naya Tara Apartments, trapped residents began screaming for help from their balconies.

Blown short circuit triggers panic

According to local authorities, the building comprises a stilt parking ground floor and five upper storeys. Preliminary assessments point toward an electrical short circuit on the ground floor that instantly caught an electric scooter being charged overnight. The flames then rapidly spread to other parked vehicles, including three scooters, two motorcycles, and a bicycle.

"I woke up after hearing loud cries for help and rushed outside," said Rajender Kumar, an eyewitness living in the adjacent lane. "I saw that the fire was concentrated in the parked two-wheelers inside the building, but the heavy smoke spread upwards with frightening speed."

Local heroism amid heavy smoke

With the structure lacking adequate ventilation, toxic smoke quickly filled the internal staircase, cutting off the primary escape route for the occupants. Before emergency teams arrived, local residents formed a human chain, carrying buckets of water to assist those on the lower floors.

One resident on the second floor reportedly tied his wife’s saree to a balcony railing to climb down, while neighbours gathered below to break his fall with their bare hands. Others used wooden ladders from a nearby shorter building to access the upper floors, using rocks to shatter locked terrace gates and puncturing water tanks to suppress the thick fumes.

Blocked terrace forces desperate rescue

The Delhi Fire Service deployed multiple units to the site, including three water tenders, two water bowsers, a breathing support unit, and a Quick Response Vehicle. However, operations were severely hampered by the highly congested, narrow lanes characteristic of the Govindpuri and Tughlakabad extensions.

Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO) Yashwant Singh Meena, who led the operations alongside Station Training Officer Mukul Bhardwaj, stated that fire crews had to break open a heavy lock on the terrace gate to rescue two young girls who had taken refuge on the rooftop. A total of eight occupants were evacuated from the building during the operation and rushed to nearby hospitals via CATS ambulances.

The deceased have been identified as Pankaj (28), his mother Guddi (50), and his sister Soni (20), who lived on the third floor. Two other family members, including an elderly 70-year-old grandmother, remain in critical condition at the AIIMS Trauma Centre. Firefighters brought the blaze under control by 3:45 am, issuing a final completion message at 4:00 am.

Recurring structural safety concerns

The tragedy at Tughlakabad Extension marks the second major structural fire incident in Delhi within a ten-day window, reigniting intense public debate over systemic violations of residential building bylaws in the national capital.

On June 3, a massive blaze tore through the Flourish Stay Hotel in Malviya Nagar’s Hauz Rani area, claiming 23 lives. Investigations into that incident revealed that the property was operating 25 guest rooms despite being licensed for only six rooms under the Silver Category Bed & Breakfast scheme.

Municipal authorities have vowed a thorough investigation into the Tughlakabad building's layout, specifically targeting the lack of mandatory ventilation shafts and fire safety clearances in dense residential clusters. Police personnel from the Govindpuri police station have initiated a detailed forensic inquiry to confirm the exact source of the Friday morning blaze.

A fast-spreading blaze that began in a restaurant beneath a six-storey hotel in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar left 21 people dead and dozens injured on Wednesday morning, officials and witnesses said. Authorities have registered an FIR under culpable homicide and are probing whether the building had the required fire NOC.

Fire starts in restaurant
According to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), the first call came in at 8:50–8:51 am reporting a fire at the Lemon Green restaurant on Press Enclave Road. Flames rapidly raced up from the ground-floor eatery into the Flourish Stay B&B above, smoke-locking several floors and trapping guests, many of whom were attendants of patients at nearby hospitals.

Early rescue timeline
DFS said initial teams reached within minutes and ramped up the response to 10–12 fire tenders as the situation worsened. Rescue crews evacuated at least 40–47 people, officials said; three people were pulled from the basement and several others were taken to nearby hospitals in critical condition. Delhi Divisional Officer Ravinder Singh later confirmed the rescue operation had ended and the fire was fully extinguished.

Victims and nationalities
Delhi Police told news agencies that 21 people died; multiple officials said 17 of the deceased were foreign nationals, including citizens from Bangladesh and other South Asian countries. Local BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay said many guests were in the hotel while accompanying patients at Max Hospital and other nearby medical facilities.

Ownership and legal action
Delhi Police identified the owner as Lokesh Bajaj and said three partners run the establishment; they are examining links to other properties owned by the group. The police registered an FIR under culpable homicide and other relevant sections of the penal code. Delhi Minister Ashish Sood told reporters the building owner would be arrested if negligence is established.

NOC and safety questions
Several officials familiar with the matter told reporters that the building may have lacked a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department. Forensic teams and fire investigators arrived at the site early in the afternoon to collect evidence and reconstruct how the blaze spread. The SDM and municipal officials said they would take strict action against any code violations.

Ground response and local help
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as residents broke windows, threw out mattresses and caught people who jumped from upper floors. “We rushed with blankets and mattresses… a woman jumped carrying a child,” said Sher Khan, a local shopkeeper. Ten police personnel were also injured while participating in rescue operations and are being treated in hospital, police said.

Political reactions and relief
The blaze drew swift condolences from political leaders across the spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, President Droupadi Murmu and several national leaders expressed grief and urged swift relief and medical care for victims.

Hospital capacity and treatment
Max Healthcare confirmed it was treating several critical patients transferred from the site; hospital spokespeople said most injured were being stabilised and that counselors were on site for relatives. AIIMS and other emergency departments in the area were put on alert given the proximity of the incident to major medical centres.

What investigators will look at
Officials said the probe will focus on the origin of the fire in the restaurant, the speed of its spread to upper floors, evacuation routes, fire safety equipment availability and whether exits were accessible. If the NOC or other safety clearances are found missing or falsified, charges could be broadened.

Outlook and public impact
The killings have raised immediate questions about safety standards in budget hotels and guest houses near Delhi hospitals — places that often house long-stay attendants and foreign patients. Local residents and patient families called for tighter inspections of such premises.

Authorities said a detailed status update and formal list of victims would be released after post-mortems and family notifications are complete. Meanwhile, police and municipal teams continued compiling the building’s records and ownership papers as the criminal investigation proceeds.

An LPG cylinder blast on Tuesday morning flattened a single-storey house in north Delhi’s Mukundpur area, injuring 11 people and leaving a woman in critical condition, officials said. Rescue teams are continuing search-and-rescue operations and clearing debris amid local efforts to pull out survivors.

Blast and collapse

The explosion occurred around 9:37 am in Gali No. 1, Ishu Vihar, Mukundpur-II, close to a cremation ground, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said. A distress call reporting a blast and a collapsed structure prompted an immediate response by DFS and police units, who feared people might be trapped under rubble.

“Information was received that a blast had taken place and a building had collapsed, trapping people inside. Rescue teams were immediately rushed to the spot and search and rescue operations were launched,” a DFS official said.

Initial rescues

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North) Hareshwar Swami said police and emergency responders, along with locals, pulled 11 people out of the wreckage. Four to five injured persons were first evacuated by nearby residents and patrol personnel and moved to a local hospital. One woman sustained severe burn injuries and was reported to be in critical condition late Tuesday morning.

Prima facie cause

Preliminary inquiries suggest the explosion may have occurred while gas was being transferred from a larger cylinder to a smaller one, Swami added. Several LPG cylinders were recovered at the site. He also said that a utensil-colouring unit appeared to be operating from the house, which officials are probing as a possible factor in the blast.

Ground response and eyewitness accounts

Residents described loud, sudden blast-like sound that sent up a cloud of dust. “The moment I heard a loud blast-like sound, the first thing that came to my mind was that a gas cylinder had exploded. We immediately ran towards the spot and found that a house had collapsed,” an eyewitness told reporters at the scene. Neighbours and shopkeepers joined the rescue effort, using tools and bare hands to clear debris before emergency teams arrived.

Another local, who helped pull victims out, said he suffered minor injuries but continued to assist until officials took over. Authorities said clearing operations were ongoing to ensure no one remained trapped inside the 250-square-yard single-storey structure.

Hospital care and condition

Injured residents were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials did not immediately disclose the names or ages of those hurt, citing ongoing medical assessments. A spokesperson for the hospital confirmed receiving multiple patients from the Mukundpur incident, including the woman with critical burns, and said specialists had been mobilised for burn care and trauma management.

Separate blast in East Delhi

Police said a separate cylinder blast in Shahdara’s Ajit Nagar injured four people around 1:30 pm on Tuesday. Shahdara Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajendra Prasad Meena said the explosion at a house in Gandhi Nagar likely stemmed from a leaking gas cylinder pipe. Head Constable Rahul and Constable Kuldeep rescued a woman, her husband and children from the first floor and shifted them to hospital. Both the Shahdara and Mukundpur incidents are under investigation.

Investigations under way

Delhi police and fire officials are jointly probing the Mukundpur explosion. Investigators are collecting the recovered cylinders and examining whether illegal industrial activity — the reported utensil-colouring unit — or unsafe gas-handling practices contributed to the blast. Officials said they would also review whether any unauthorised storage of cylinders or non-compliance with safety norms occurred at the site.

Public safety concerns

The twin incidents have renewed concerns about unsafe handling of LPG cylinders and clandestine small-scale manufacturing units operating from residential buildings in multiple parts of the city. Local residents urged stricter enforcement and periodic safety inspections, particularly in congested neighbourhoods where homes double as workspaces.

What’s next

Police said further details, including formal cause and casualty list, will be released after forensic work and statements from survivors. Meanwhile, authorities have appealed to residents in the area to stay clear of the site to allow uninterrupted rescue and investigation work.

Delhi Crime Branch Busts IPL Ticket Black-Marketing Gang Near Arun Jaitley Stadium

In a major crackdown ahead of high-stakes IPL matches, the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested three members of an organised racket involved in black-marketing of IPL tickets and complimentary passes. The operation, carried out on March 8 near Delhi Gate, exposed how the accused had allegedly turned a petrol pump close to the Arun Jaitley Stadium into a thriving ticket hotspot.

The arrests came just before the Kolkata Knight Riders versus Delhi Capitals match. Police said the accused were posing as authorised representatives of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) to dupe eager cricket fans.

Petrol Pump Became Ticket Hub

According to officials, the gang operated brazenly from a petrol pump near the stadium. Initial reports indicate that fans were approached discreetly and offered tickets at inflated prices. The modus operandi was simple yet effective — they sold regular match tickets at nearly double the printed rate while complimentary passes, marked “Not For Sale,” were peddled for as high as ₹20,000 each.

During the raid, the Crime Branch team recovered 54 tickets, including 33 complimentary passes, along with ₹25,000 in cash. The three arrested have been identified as Muqeem from Moradabad, Gufran alias Sajid from Jamia Nagar, and Mohammad Faisal from Seelampur.

Nationwide Network Using Flights

Investigation has revealed that the syndicate was not limited to Delhi. Sources familiar with the matter said the accused frequently flew to different cities hosting IPL matches, supplying premium tickets and passes to select clients. These included online bettors and even high-profile pickpockets who operated inside stadiums. Police are now probing the source of the large number of complimentary passes that reached the gang.

The timing of the bust coincided with strong demand for the KKR-DC clash. Kolkata eventually won the match by eight wickets, with opener Finn Allen scoring a century, but for many fans who had paid premium rates outside, the excitement was marred by the black-marketing scandal.

Accused Had Prior Records

All three arrested individuals are said to be habitual offenders. The Crime Branch confirmed that multiple cases of ticket black-marketing have already been registered against them in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana. One of the accused, Faisal, also faces a case under the Gambling Act in Punjab.

DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav stated that the accused have been remanded in police custody. “Investigation is ongoing to identify other members of this syndicate. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone found involved,” he added. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

 Impact on Genuine Fans

The racket highlights a recurring problem during the IPL season when demand for tickets far outstrips supply. Many genuine supporters, especially those travelling from outside Delhi, often fall prey to such touts. Local residents near the stadium reported seeing suspicious activity around the petrol pump in the days leading up to the match, with people discreetly exchanging cash for tickets.

This is not an isolated incident. Similar rackets have been busted outside other venues, including the Ekana Sports City Stadium in Lucknow earlier this season, indicating a well-connected inter-state network.

 Police Intensify Vigil

With the IPL progressing and several high-profile matches still lined up in Delhi, security agencies have stepped up checks around the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Officials have appealed to fans to buy tickets only through authorised channels and report any suspicious offers immediately.

The Crime Branch is examining digital trails, including possible links to online resellers and middlemen within cricket administration circles. Further arrests are expected if the probe uncovers larger players in the supply chain of complimentary passes.

As cricket fever continues across the country, incidents like these serve as a reminder of the need for tighter regulation and real-time monitoring of ticket distribution to protect fans from exploitation.

Nine Killed in Early Morning Fire at Vivek Vihar Building in Delhi

A devastating blaze triggered by an AC explosion ripped through a four-storey residential building in Shahdara’s Vivek Vihar early Sunday, claiming nine lives including a toddler.

A major fire broke out in a multi-storey building in Vivek Vihar, Shahdara district, in the early hours of Sunday, leaving nine people dead and two others injured. Fire services and police rushed to the spot after receiving a call around 4 AM, with initial reports indicating the fire may have started near 3:13 AM due to a blast in an air conditioner unit at the rear of the building.

According to officials, the flames quickly spread to flats on the second, third, and fourth floors of the four-storey structure. Rescue operations continued for several hours as thick smoke engulfed the building, turning its exterior black. At least 12 fire tenders were deployed, along with teams from the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), traffic police, and local authorities.

Bodies Recovered from Multiple Floors

Firefighters faced challenging conditions inside the smoke-filled building. Bodies were recovered from different levels, particularly the rear portions where the fire is believed to have originated.

On the second floor, five members of the Jain family perished. They have been identified as Arvind Jain (60), his wife Anita Jain (58), their son Nishant Jain (35), Nishant’s wife Anchal Jain (33), and their 1.5-year-old grandson Master Akash Jain. 

Another victim, Shikha Jain (45), wife of Naveen Jain, was found on the first floor. On the third floor, a separate family of three — Nitin Jain (around 50), his wife Shailey Jain (around 48), and their son Samyak Jain (around 25) — lost their lives.

Local councillor Pankaj Luthra, who reached the spot soon after, said five bodies were located on the backside of the second floor alone. He confirmed additional recoveries from upper levels as teams cleared the premises.

Rescue Efforts and Injured

Fifteen people were successfully rescued from the building. Among them, Naveen Jain (48), husband of the deceased Shikha Jain, sustained injuries and was rushed to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for treatment along with another injured person. Both are reported to be in stable condition with minor injuries.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara), Rajendra Prasad Meena, said fire tenders brought the blaze under control after intense efforts. “We are still searching the premises,” he added shortly after the initial response.

A local resident, Rohit, who witnessed the incident, told reporters that the explosion in the AC unit sparked the rapid spread. “Around 12-15 people were rescued, but some were still missing initially,” he said.

Scene at the Spot

By morning, a large crowd of relatives and local residents had gathered outside the charred building. Ambulances carried the bodies to hospital mortuaries after the fire was fully extinguished. The rear side of the building, where the AC was installed, showed significant damage, consistent with the initial assessment of the cause.

Officials have initiated a detailed probe into the exact trigger and whether any safety norms were violated. Questions are also being raised about the building’s fire safety measures, common in many older residential complexes across the capital.

Impact on Local Community

The incident has sent shockwaves through Vivek Vihar, a densely populated residential area. Many families in the building appear to be related or from the same community, making the loss even more profound. Neighbours described the victims as long-time residents, with the young child’s death evoking particular grief.

Delhi has witnessed several fire incidents in recent years, often linked to electrical faults, overloaded wiring, or malfunctioning appliances during peak summer months. Authorities usually advise regular safety audits, but enforcement remains a challenge in many localities.

As investigations continue, police and fire department teams are documenting evidence and speaking to survivors and witnesses. The exact cause will be ascertained through forensic examination, though preliminary enquiries point to the AC blast as the origin.

Further updates on the probe and any support extended to the affected families are awaited. The tragedy once again highlights the need for stricter fire safety compliance in urban residential buildings.