Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on March 18, 2026, ₹10 lakh each for families of deceased adults, ₹5 lakh for minors, and ₹2 lakh for the seriously injured in the Palam fire. She also ordered a magisterial inquiry. Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu directed a comprehensive fire audit across localities and institutions at a Delhi Disaster Management Authority meeting.
A fierce fire broke out around 6:50am on March 18, 2026, in a four-storey building in Palam, Delhi, affecting 18 members of Rajender Kashyap’s family. The family included five sons—Kamal, Sunil, Pravesh, Anil and Sachin—and a daughter, Himanshi. Only five or six escaped as they were away: Sunil, his wife and two children on vacation, and Pravesh’s wife Kavita attending a wedding. Victims included Kamal, his wife Ashu, and daughters Niharika, Jessica and Ivani (aged 3-16). Himanshi died, while Sachin sustained burns. Anil threw his two-year-old daughter from a balcony; she survived. Eyewitness Yogesh said Pravesh and Kamal screamed for help from the third floor. Rescuers broke a wall, but cosmetics stored on the first floor had spread the blaze. Attempts via a neighbouring rooftop failed due to burning solar panels. Rajender Kashyap, an active AAP member, was in Goa for party work and returned Wednesday afternoon. He is also president of Ram Chowk Main Market Association. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a magisterial inquiry and compensation of ₹10 lakh each for deceased adults’ families, ₹5 lakh for minors, and ₹2 lakh for the seriously injured. Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu directed a fire audit at a Delhi Disaster Management Authority meeting.
