“Manor”, the Sector 43 residence of Vivek Aggarwal, became the centre of large-scale mourning on Thursday as over 500 people visited to offer condolences following a deadly fire.
The tragedy, which left multiple members of the family dead, drew an outpouring of grief from neighbours and acquaintances, many of whom gathered outside the property throughout the day. Locals described the atmosphere as overwhelming, with a steady stream of visitors from the surrounding area and the family’s extended circle.
A teenager from the extended family said Vivek Aggarwal and his wife, Tarjani, had treated him with deep affection. “They fed me with their own hands like I was their son,” he said, recalling his bond with the couple. “My little sisters are now gone,” he added, referring to their daughters.
Related News: Malviya Nagar blaze: Court sends hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj to 4 days’ police custody
According to initial accounts from those close to the family, Vivek Aggarwal is believed to have died of suffocation, while other family members reportedly died of burn injuries sustained in the fire.
As of late Wednesday night, relatives told The Tribune that the bodies of Tarjani and their two daughters had not been found. However, these details are based on accounts from those present and have not been independently verified.
Tarjani’s father, Prem Bansal, who is also Vivek’s father-in-law, told mourning relatives, “I was outside the residence when the fire broke out. I had arrived with food for the family shortly before the incident.” In great pain, he said, “I was unable to save my children.”
Neighbours said they witnessed confusion and panic as news of the fire spread. The incident has also sparked anger among some residents, with questions raised about accountability and emergency response mechanisms. They described the situation as reflecting a wider lack of responsibility within the system, though these remain personal accounts from those present in the aftermath.
The bodies of three other relatives who died in the fire were taken to Rajasthan for their final rites.
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising five eminent persons as trustees.
The Tribune, the largest selling English daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the newspaper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.
The Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).
Remembering Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia
Leave a Reply