Head Constable Charred to Death in Meerut After Quilt Catches Fire from Beedi; Tragic End Shocks Family and Police Department

Meerut: A heartbreaking incident in Meerut’s Sharma Nagar, Saket, has left the police force and the local community in deep sorrow. Head Constable Vibhor Panwar, posted at Meerut Police Lines, was found burnt to death along with his bed late Tuesday night after a fire—believed to have started from a beedi—engulfed his room. By the time neighbours broke open the door, Vibhor’s body was almost completely reduced to a skeleton.

Fire Suspected to Have Started from Beedi

Vibhor Panwar, a resident of Nala village under Kairana tehsil of Shamli district and a 2011 batch recruit, had been living in the rented accommodation for the past two months. His roommate, Head Constable Satish, was away on leave for his daughter’s wedding.

According to officials, Vibhor returned from home on Monday and completed his duty before reaching his room around 10 p.m. He lit a beedi inside the room, which is believed to have accidentally set his quilt on fire. He attempted to extinguish the flames and reportedly wrapped himself in another quilt.

Vibhor even called his wife to inform her about the fire, indicating he did not realise the danger would escalate into a fatal disaster.

Owner Saw Smoke at 3:30 AM

Around 3:30 a.m., house owner Sanjay Sharma noticed thick smoke coming from Vibhor’s room. Alarmed, he alerted neighbours, and together they broke open the door. What they found inside was devastating — Vibhor’s body had been burnt almost entirely from the neck down.

Police and forensic teams recovered a burnt bed, two charred quilts, an empty liquor bottle, a water bottle, and other partially burnt items. Since the door was locked from inside, police have confirmed it as an accident.

SSP Dr. Vipin Tada stated that preliminary investigation strongly indicates an accidental fire.

Grief Strikes the Family

Vibhor’s father, Jaikumar Singh, and brother Ashish rushed to Meerut after receiving the tragic news. After the post-mortem, Meerut Police Lines officials bid a tearful final farewell before handing over the body to the family for cremation in their village.

A Life Marked by Struggles and Responsibility

Vibhor had already endured deep personal tragedy — his first wife passed away a year ago. He is survived by two children from his first marriage: an eight-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son, Shivansh. He had recently remarried a woman named Anshu from Delhi.

His younger brothers, Nikhil and Ashish, both serve in the Indian Army. The grieving family and villagers have demanded government compensation and a job for the dependent.

Villagers Remember Vibhor as an Honest Officer

Locals recall Vibhor as an honest, friendly, and morally upright man who guided village youth toward the right path. Known to be academically strong, he had once prepared for several competitive exams.

He visited his village every week to spend time with family before returning to duty. His sudden and tragic death has cast a shadow of grief over the entire community.