Pandher’s family suspect foul play behind fire

Family members of Nithari co-accused Moninder Singh Pandher have suspected foul play behind the fire that gutted the businessman’s D-5 residence at Noida Sector-31 late Thursday night.

Family members of Nithari co-accused Moninder Singh Pandher have suspected foul play behind the fire that gutted the businessman’s D-5 residence at Noida Sector-31 late Thursday night.

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Pandher’s family felt the fire could have been started ‘deliberately’ because of his release from Dasna jail in Ghaziabad after he was ranted bail by the Allahabad High court in five pending cases.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Pandher’s son Karan Singh said that deliberate action behind the incident could not be ruled out and the police must investigate the matter at the earliest.

The house, registered in the name of Pandher’s wife, was sealed by the authorities after the Nithari killings came to light in December, 2006. Pandher and his domestic help Surinder Koli were arrested soon after.

“We had left for Chandigarh after attending the hearings at Ghaziabad court on Thursday and received information on Friday morning about the incident. The house has been sealed since 2006, even though it is in the name of my mother. Three thefts have taken place in the premises in the last seven years and we have lost our television set, air conditioners and other items. My father told some people were arrested but nothing could be recovered,” Karan said.

The fire, reported around 11 pm on Thursday night, had burnt down a number of household items kept inside the residence.

Noida chief fire officer NK Tyagi too said the fire might have been deliberately started by someone.

“There can be many reasons. The fire also could have started in the thick grass inside the house, which was uninhabited,” he added.