SIT set up to probe Delhi church fire

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday announced the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to probe the burning down of a church in East Delhi two days ago. The Union home minister made this announcement in the Lok Sabha after the Opposition raised the issue amid agitation by members of the Christian community and others alleging foul play in the fire that gutted the church.

“As soon as I learnt of the incident, I spoke to the Lt Governor (of Delhi) and decided to set up a SIT,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha. A Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police will head the SIT, which has been asked to give its report within two months, the minister informed the House.

Reassuring the agitated members, Singh said the government would “act strongly against anyone trying to hurt the sentiments of people believing in any religion or faith”. He expressed the government’s readiness to table the copy of the SIT findings.