Crime
Malviya Nagar Fire Investigation Intensifies with Owner’s Arrest
Delhi Police has arrested the owner of the hotel building where a devastating fire claimed 21 lives in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area. The arrest comes amid an ongoing investigation into possible safety violations and operational lapses at the establishment.
The Delhi Police has arrested Lavkesh Bajaj, the owner of the hotel building where a catastrophic fire claimed 21 lives in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday.
Bajaj was taken into custody hours after the blaze engulfed the Flourish Stay B&B, located in the densely populated Hauz Rani locality. The fire triggered a massive rescue operation and resulted in one of the deadliest fire incidents in the national capital in recent years.
Prior to the arrest, police had issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Bajaj and his wife and launched a search operation to trace their whereabouts. Investigators moved swiftly as scrutiny intensified over the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The fire killed 21 people, including foreign nationals, and left dozens injured. Emergency teams from the Delhi Fire Service, police, ambulance services, and disaster response agencies rescued more than 40 occupants from the building.
Authorities are investigating allegations of serious safety lapses at the establishment. Preliminary reports have indicated that the building was operating without mandatory fire safety clearances and had structural features that may have hampered evacuation efforts during the emergency.
Investigators are examining whether violations of fire safety regulations, building norms, and operational requirements contributed to the high casualty count. Officials are also reviewing documentation related to licensing, occupancy permissions, and safety compliance.
The arrest of the hotel owner is expected to be a key development in the probe as authorities seek to determine accountability for the tragedy. Police are likely to question Bajaj regarding the hotel’s operations, safety measures, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
The incident has renewed concerns about fire safety standards in hotels, guest houses, and commercial establishments operating in congested urban areas, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and inspections.