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.

In Short

• Delhi court grants four days police custody to hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj
• Police cited safety lapses, missing records while seeking custodial interrogation
• Fire at Flourish Stay B&B kills 21, several injured including foreign nationals

A day after a fire in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar killed 21 people and injured several others, a court sent hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj to four days of police custody. Documents accessed by India Today show police sought his custody citing alleged safety lapses, missing operational records and to identify other persons involved in running the property.

Judicial Magistrate Bhanu Pratap Singh on Thursday granted Delhi Police's remand request, observing that the arrest was legal and that the probe was still at a preliminary stage. The court said custodial interrogation was necessary to establish facts, verify compliance with safety norms and recover key documents and digital evidence.

Police told the court that prima facie material linked Bajaj to the operation and management of Flourish Stay B&B, where the fire occurred, and alleged negligence in ensuring adequate safety measures.

The arrest memo cited offences including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and mischief by fire under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Opposing the plea, the defence argued that the arrest was illegal and that mandatory safeguards were not followed, but the court accepted the prosecution’s submissions and granted custody.

In its remand application, Delhi Police said custodial interrogation was required to trace employees and other individuals involved, including accountant Jay Mishra and manager Rakesh, whose roles emerged during the probe.

Police also sought recovery of ownership papers, guest registers, booking records, financial documents and digital data, and said Bajaj could influence witnesses.

Investigators informed the court that forensic examination of the premises was pending and that several staff members were yet to be questioned. A prior criminal case linked to the property was also brought to the court’s notice.

The fire broke out at Flourish Stay B&B in the congested Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar, killing 21 people and injuring several others. Several of the victims were foreign nationals.

Furthermore, according to officials, the hotel was operating without a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). Preliminary findings indicate that while the building was approved for only six rooms, it was allegedly running more than 20.

Investigators have also flagged that the property had only a single entry and exit point, which may have hampered evacuation efforts during the blaze.

- Ends