Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested Lavkesh Bajaj, the owner of the building that houses the Flourish Stay B&B hotel in Malviya Nagar. It came hours after a massive fire killed 21 people and revealed alleged violations of fire safety and building regulations. Follow live updates here
The fire broke out early Wednesday in A five-storey guest house in the busy area of Hauz Rani in South Delhi. Among the 21 dead, 18 were foreigners from African countries, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and others.
The police had earlier issued a circular against Bajaj and his wife before launching a search operation to trace them. An FIR has been registered under charges of murder and other related provisions in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, news agency PTI reported.
How did the fire happen?
Investigations and statements by Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood indicate that the guest house was operating without the mandatory fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) and in violation of multiple safety norms.
Read also | Delhi fire: Hotel under scanner, owner arrested, 18 foreigners killed
Officials said the building was just… A single entry and exit point, permanently boarded windows and a sensor-operated main door, conditions believed to have severely hampered evacuation efforts as the fire quickly spread through the structure.
Investigators also alleged that the institution was operating beyond its approved capacity. According to police sources, the property received a permit for only six rooms underneath it B&B policy followed by the Delhi government but they were allegedly running around 25 rooms, including some in the basement.
Additional floors have reportedly been added over the years without obtaining the required approvals from the authorities.
I ordered an inspection campaign
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu ordered a month-long inspection drive covering hotels, nursing homes, coaching centres, restaurants and other vulnerable business establishments.
Read also | ‘No ventilation’ in column-like building, terrifying escape video: 5 shocking details in Delhi Malviya Nagar fire
Separately, Home Minister Ashish Sood ordered a city-wide verification of B&B properties by the CBI. Delhi Fire Services and Power Department.
prime minister Rekha Gupta said the government was closely monitoring the situation and sought a detailed report on the incident, while opposition leaders criticized the administration over repeated tragedies linked to the fire in the national capital.
Police said the investigation is still ongoing and the role of other individuals associated with the guest house is also being examined.
