Hotel Owner Remanded to Custody Following Tragic Delhi Fire
Police say the hotel was operating nearly four times beyond its permitted capacity and lacked a fire safety license.
- On Thursday, a Delhi court remanded Flourish Stays Hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj to four days of police custody following a fire that killed 21 people in Malviya Nagar.
- Investigators found that Bajaj illegally increased his property's capacity to 25 rooms from the permitted 6, concealing details to secure a Silver Category licence without a mandatory fire certificate.
- During interrogation, Bajaj claimed he delegated daily operations to manager Jai Mishra, who remains absconding; police found the hotel's roof exit was closed during the June 3 blaze, restricting escape routes.
- Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited survivors at Max Hospital on Thursday, announcing Rs 10 lakh in ex gratia payments for families of the deceased and withdrawing the Bed and Breakfast policy.
- Authorities are inspecting surrounding commercial units in basements for violations, while Bajaj allegedly told police he was advised such arrangements were "routine" and "everything works in Delhi.
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Malviya Nagar hotel owner showed ‘Delhi mai sab chalta hai’ attitude, ‘uncooperative’ during investigation, claim cops
Investigators said their questioning revealed a pattern of greed, regulatory violations, and disregard for safety norms on Bajaj's part, according to PTI.
Malviya Nagar Fire Tragedy: Court Sends Hotel Owner Lovkesh Bajaj to 4-day Police Custody
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. Bajaj was produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Bhanu Pratap Singh at Saket Courts following his arrest by Delhi Police. The police have booked him under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 326(g) (mischief by fire), Section 324(5) (mischief causing damage to property), Section 125…
Inside Delhi Police's case against owner of hotel where 21 were killed in fire
Delhi Police have sought custody of hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj over alleged safety lapses, missing records and to identify others involved in the Malviya Nagar fire that killed 21 people, including foreign nationals.
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