Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 24th March 2026

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of nine members of a family and injuries to three others in a fire at Palam area of South-West Delhi

Reportedly, the Fire Brigade teams’ hydraulic crane developed some technical snag resulting in delayed rescue operation

The Commission issues notices to the Delhi Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that nine members of a family including three children and a 70-year-old woman died and three others sustained injures in a fire that broke out in a four-story building in Palam area of South-West Delhi on 18th March 2026. Reportedly, the Fire Brigade teams’ hydraulic crane developed some technical snag resulting in delayed rescue operation. Locals alleged that timely functioning of the equipment could have saved more lives.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. It is expected to include the status of compensation disbursement to the aggrieved and the injured persons.

According to the media report, carried on 19th March 2026, the fire started at around 6:15 a.m., allegedly due to short circuit. It started from a ground-floor shop and quickly spread to the residential floors above. Reportedly, the locals tried to rescue the trapped persons by breaking windows and walls of the house. A few got injured while they were reportedly trying to escape or rescue others.

*****