Delhi fire tragedy: Hotel owner arrested for flouting safety norms as probe into 21 deaths widens
PTC News Desk: A devastating fire at the Flourish Stay B&B in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar has claimed at least 21 lives and left several others injured, prompting a wide-ranging investigation into alleged safety lapses. Delhi Police have arrested hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and booked him on charges including culpable homicide.
Investigators revealed that the establishment had permission to operate only six rooms under the Delhi government's Bed & Breakfast policy, but was allegedly running nearly 25 rooms, including accommodation in the basement.
Authorities are also examining reports that additional floors were built without the necessary approvals. The building's layout has come under scrutiny, as it reportedly had only one entry and exit point, permanently sealed windows, and a sensor-operated main door, factors that may have severely hindered evacuation during the blaze. The five-storey structure was rapidly engulfed in smoke and heat, trapping many occupants inside.
Among the victims were both Indian and foreign nationals, several of whom were staying near hospitals where their relatives were undergoing treatment. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have originated in the ground-floor restaurant after electrical equipment was switched on.
Police arrested Lavkesh Bajaj in connection with the tragedy after earlier issuing a Look-Out Circular against him and his wife to prevent them from leaving the country. Multiple teams had been deployed to trace the couple. Bajaj is scheduled to be produced before Delhi’s Saket Court on Thursday. An FIR has been registered under provisions related to culpable homicide and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with investigators examining whether negligence and regulatory violations contributed to the high death toll.
In the aftermath of the incident, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu ordered a month-long citywide inspection drive targeting hotels, lodges, nursing homes, coaching centres, and restaurants. Authorities have also been directed to identify narrow lanes and other bottlenecks that could obstruct the movement of fire tenders during emergencies.
- With inputs from agencies
