‘Fire-brand’ gang again targets govt quarters

The dreaded gang, which sets houses on fire after burglary, has once again struck a house in Sarojini Nagar in south Delhi.

The dreaded gang, which sets houses on fire after burglary, has once again struck a house in Sarojini Nagar in south Delhi.

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Jaipal Singh, a soldier with the Indian Army, was out of station with his family when the burglars targeted his two-room house in Pillanji Village on Tuesday morning. Police said this is the second such incident within a fortnight.

Police said the neighbours noticed smoke coming from Singh’s house and called the police.

Singh was in his hometown of Amroha in Uttar Pradesh on a two-month leave along with his family. He is posted in AGI Bhawan in RK Puram and the police have informed him about the burglary and fire.

Police said they suspect this to be the handiwork of the gang of juveniles who are “expert house thieves” and always set the house on fire after taking everything.

“Prima facie it appears that they set the bed on fire before fleeing the house,” said a senior police the officer on condition of anonymity, as he is not authorised to speak to media.

The police said Singh has been informed and only after his arrival can they ascertain the total loss.

On February 24, two juveniles were arrested for allegedly involved a burglary in government quarters in Sarojini Nagar and setting the house on fire.

This is the second such incident this year in the locality, which witnessed six such cases last year.

The police added that the gang is active mainly in Sarojini Nagar as they find it easy to break into government flats.

The gang sets houses on fire to erase evidence and treat it as their trademark, police said.