The forensic team has collected samples from the site and is examining them to determine the cause of the fire at Flourish Stay in Malviya Nagar.
A Delhi court on Thursday sent Lavkesh Bajaj, owner of Flourish Stay, a bed and breakfast establishment in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area, where a massive fire killed 21 people, including 12 foreigners, to police custody for four days.
The order came after Delhi Police requested that he be questioned while in custody while investigators continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire, news agency PTI reported. HT reported earlier that police are also searching for the hotel manager.
This development comes as forensic teams examine evidence collected from the site to determine the cause of the fire, while authorities have intensified inspections across the city in the wake of the tragedy.
Police investigation accelerates: 10 key updates
- The Delhi Police has registered a case against Bajaj under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, mischief by fire, damage to property, negligence endangering human life, grievous hurt by negligence and negligent conduct in relation to fire.
- Investigators are now focusing on the sequence of events that led to the fire at Flourish Stay B&B in Malviya Nagar. Officials said the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
- PTI news agency reported that the forensic team collected samples from the site and is examining them to determine the cause of the fire. The authorities are also examining the safety procedures and compliance records associated with the institution.
- The fire broke out on Wednesday morning, trapping many passengers inside the hotel, leading to a major rescue operation. Many of the hotel residents were foreign nationals who had come to Delhi to care for their relatives receiving treatment in nearby hospitals. The accident killed 21 people and injured dozens.
- Fifteen people injured in the fire are currently undergoing treatment at Max Super Specialty Hospital in Saket. According to hospital authorities, all patients who were admitted are in stable condition. Six patients are still receiving ventilator support. Doctors said that all six are in stable condition and are showing gradual signs of improvement under close medical supervision.
- In the wake of the tragedy, Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi said a joint task force has been formed to conduct inspections and identify violations across properties. Speaking to ANI, Wahi said: “Following the meeting held by the Deputy Ruler, a joint task force comprising the Dubai Municipality, the Capital City, the Municipality and the Capital City has been formed. This team is conducting inspections on an ongoing basis. Wherever violations are detected – be it in specific properties or buildings – those establishments will be closed.”
- Delhi Police has launched a search for Jay Mishra, the manager of Flourish Stay in south Delhi’s Hauz Rani area, after the devastating fire that claimed the lives of 21 people, including 12 foreigners. Investigators said the hotel owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, who was arrested on Wednesday evening, told them that Mishra was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the hotel.
- According to police, Mishra has been missing since the fire broke out around 8.45 am on Wednesday.
- The investigation also revealed numerous alleged violations at the property. The B&B had been operating for seven to eight years without a no-objection certificate from the Delhi Fire Services and lacked a designated fire exit, officials said. They added that the facility was managing 26 rooms although only six were approved.
- Anant Mittal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), said, “Bajaj revealed that Mishra was handling the day-to-day operations of the business establishment. We arrested Bajaj on Wednesday evening. Mishra is on the run and our teams are conducting raids to nab him.”
(With inputs from HT’s Karan Pratap Singh)
