Delhi Malviya Nagar fire tragedy: B&B owner arrested as probe reveals several safety violations

PTC Web Desk: The Delhi Police have arrested the owner of a bed-and-breakfast establishment in Malviya Nagar where a massive fire claimed 21 lives, including 12 foreign nationals, in one of the capital's deadliest fire tragedies in recent years. The accused, Lavkesh Bajaj, owner of Flourish Stay, was taken into custody after allegedly evading authorities in the immediate aftermath of the incident. A local court has sent him to four-days of custody. 

Investigators said he remained untraceable for several hours as police teams searched multiple locations before finally apprehending him.

According to the police, Bajaj admitted during questioning that he reached the area after learning about the fire but did not stop at the property. Instead, he allegedly drove past the burning building out of fear and left without participating in rescue efforts.

The fire broke out on Wednesday morning in the basement of the five-storey guest accommodation located in Delhi's Hauz Rani area and quickly engulfed the upper floors. Most occupants were reportedly inside their rooms when the blaze erupted.

Firefighters deployed 17 fire tenders to control the flames and rescue trapped guests. While 58 people were evacuated and shifted to hospitals, 21 victims, including 12 foreign nationals, lost their lives.

Preliminary investigations have raised serious questions about the operation of the establishment. Bajaj told the police that the property was registered under Delhi's Bed-and-Breakfast scheme, which permits a limited number of guest rooms. However, investigators suspect that the facility was operating far beyond the permitted capacity, with reports indicating that around 25 rooms, including basement accommodation, were being used for commercial lodging.

The police are also examining whether the property complied with mandatory safety regulations. Initial findings suggest the building had a single entry and exit point, while several windows were reportedly sealed, making evacuation difficult during the emergency. Investigators are further probing whether adequate fire safety measures were in place.

Bajaj has claimed that the day-to-day management of the establishment had been entrusted to another individual, Jai Mishra, who is currently untraceable. The police are attempting to locate him and verify the extent of his involvement in the property's operations.

Among the victims were eight members of a family from Gurugram who had travelled to Delhi to visit an elderly relative undergoing medical treatment. The family was staying at the guest house when the fire broke out.