In the wake of the tragic fire at Vishal Mega Mart in Delhi’s Karol Bagh that claimed two lives, NGO Kutumb has approached the Delhi High Court, urging a court-monitored investigation into alleged lapses by store management, the Delhi Police, Fire Services, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The application was submitted in connection with an already ongoing case involving a separate incident— the July 27, 2024, tragedy in Old Rajinder Nagar—where three UPSC aspirants lost their lives after a drain burst led to flooding in a coaching centre basement.

However, a bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal declined to entertain the fresh plea under the same proceedings, advising that a separate petition be filed. “It will be in the interest of the cause to file a separate petition,” the Court observed, noting that the current matter already addresses a different set of issues. Consequently, the application was dismissed as withdrawn.

Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh represented the petitioner NGO in court.

In its submissions, Kutumb raised serious concerns regarding safety violations and the issuance of licenses and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to commercial entities operating in densely populated urban areas without adherence to fire safety norms.

The NGO sought a court-monitored inquiry into the role of the MCD, Delhi Fire Services, and the police, alleging regulatory negligence. It also called for scrutiny of the licensing and NOC status of Vishal Mega Mart and nearby establishments.

Additionally, the plea requested immediate closure of all unlicensed commercial entities—such as shopping complexes, eateries, and coaching centres—in and around Karol Bagh until a comprehensive compliance report is submitted. It also urged the court to direct Delhi Police to file a status report on the FIR and preserve CCTV footage from July 4–5.

The fire, which erupted on July 5, claimed the life of 25-year-old Dhirender Pratap, who was found dead inside an elevator, having reportedly suffocated. In his final messages, he informed his brother that he was trapped and struggling to breathe. A second, unidentified body—severely charred—was also recovered during rescue operations.