Two Friends Killed in Massive Fire at Delhi Shoe Shop; Families Claim a Third Youth Still Missing

New Delhi: Police on Monday handed over the bodies of Satyendra and Anita to their families after conducting post-mortem examinations, following the devastating fire at a shoe shop in Tigri, Sangam Vihar. The blaze, which broke out on Saturday night, had initially been reported to have claimed four lives — shop owner Satyendra alias Jimmy, his tenant Anita, and two unidentified customers. The bodies of the two customers were so badly charred that identification became nearly impossible. However, the investigation has now taken a new turn.

Claim of Three Missing Youths Raises Questions

An officer involved in the probe revealed that on Monday, not two but three families approached the police, claiming their sons — Ramdeen, Manglu and Mahendra, residents of Defence Colony, Tajpur Road, Najafgarh — had gone to Satyendra’s shop on the request of his brother-in-law. The three youths have been missing since Saturday night.

Police, however, maintain that only two unidentified bodies were recovered from the shop besides Satyendra’s body.

Eyewitness Says One Person Fled

Locals claim they saw one young man running out of the shop when the fire broke out. “If one of the three escaped unhurt, he should have informed his family or the police,” said a neighbour. But so far, none of the three missing youths have returned home.

During the inspection, the police recovered three additional mobile phones from the site along with the shop owner’s phone. Sources say these phones belong to the three missing friends from Najafgarh.

Chemical Presence Under Scanner

Crime team and FSL experts are examining the site. A senior police officer confirmed that CCTV footage from cameras around Satyendra’s three-storey building has been seized to determine how many people entered the shop before the fire. Sources say the building also stored chemical material, prompting investigators to check for traces of petrol and other chemicals.

DNA Tests to Confirm Identities

Due to the severe burns, the two unidentified bodies will undergo DNA profiling to confirm their identities. The families of the three missing youths have been called to the hospital on Tuesday for DNA sample collection.

Police have also obtained the CDR (Call Detail Records) of the mobile phones belonging to Ramdeen, Manglu, and Mahendra to trace their last locations. None of the phones have been active since the incident.

Sources revealed that Ramdeen worked as a driver, while Manglu and Mahendra ran small roadside stalls.