Mundka fire: Three more bodies identified, 16 to go

The remains of eight of the total 27 victims were identified by their relatives last month, while the rest of the bodies were charred beyond recognition. However, the police had insisted on getting DNA samples from relatives of all victims to ensure the correct identification.

Over three weeks after 27 people died in a fire that broke out in a CCTV camera assembling unit in north-west Delhi’s Mundka on May 13, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) shared its preliminary report with the police on Monday, and said that they have identified three more bodies on the basis of DNA analysis.

On May 13, a massive fire broke out at the assembling unit where over 100 employees were attending a session by a motivational speaker around 4pm. While many managed to escape the building, either by jumping through the windows or with the help of a crane that locals had arranged, 27 bodies or their charred remains were recovered. (ANI)

Of the 27 dead, which is exactly the number of people presumed missing after the devastating fire, remains of eight were identified by their relatives last month. Rest of the bodies were charred beyond recognition. However, the police had insisted on getting DNA samples from relatives of all victims to ensure the correct identification.

FSL director Deepa Verma said, “We have shared over 30 reference reports with police and more will be shared in the next few days. There was more than one sample taken to match against one body in several cases that’s why there are more reports than the number of bodies. We release reports of each sample,” she said.

According to the report, of the eight that were identified by their relatives, the DNA sample of one did not match with that of the body claimed. Now, the FSL officials have sought another sample from the family.

The eight identified by their relatives were: Tania Bhushan, Yashoda Devi, Ranju Devi, Vishal, Drishti, and motivational speaker Kailash Jayani and his son Amit Jayani, and the father of the owners of the building Amar Nath Goyal.

Deputy commissioner of police (DCP, outer) Sameer Sharma said that bodies of Madhu Devi, Narender and Muskan have been identified and their families have been informed. “We identified three more bodies after perusing the FSL’s DNA reports on Tuesday. We have informed the family members to receive the bodies at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital on Wednesday,” Sharma said.

“Bodies of the eight persons were identified and handed over to families at that time. However, the DNA profile Ranju Devi didn’t match her son’s. Therefore, blood samples of Ranju’s parents were taken on Tuesday for DNA matching,” DCP said.

On May 13, a massive fire broke out at the assembling unit where over 100 employees were attending a session by a motivational speaker around 4pm. While many managed to escape the building, either by jumping through the windows or with the help of a crane that locals had arranged, 27 bodies or their charred remains were recovered, police had said.

Families of 19 persons on June 3 staged a protest demanding that they be given DNA reports so that they could get some closure regarding the fate of their loved ones and perform last rites in the event of them being dead and not “missing”.

Police said that the forensic laboratory authorities have also requested fresh blood samples of the arrested accused (the owners of the building) — Harish Goyal and Varun Goyal — to match it with their father Amar Nath Goyal, as the earlier samples may have been “contaminated”.

Nineteen-year-old Narender’s brother Pramod (32) said that he has finally heaved a sigh of relief after struggling for nearly a month.

“I used to call police officers and visit police stations every two-three days. Now, at least we will be able to perform his last rites and also submit the necessary documents for compensation,” he said.

Bachhan [age unknown], the brother of Madhu Devi (29), said, “This was only a formality because we knew she is gone. But one needs proof when their loved ones die. Now, after being able to perform her last rites, we’ll be a little at ease,” he said.