Hotel co-owner arrested after Delhi fire kills 21

Police have arrested Lovkesh Bajaj, the co-owner of Hotel Flourish Stays.

NEW DELHI: The hotel in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar where a fire killed at least 21 people on Wednesday was allegedly operating nearly four times beyond its permitted capacity, had no fire safety clearance and was functioning from a building where additional floors were constructed without informing authorities, officials said. Police have arrested Lovkesh Bajaj, the owner of Hotel Flourish Stays, in connection with the blaze that tore through the bed-and-breakfast establishment. Sources said Bajaj told investigators that he did not have time to personally manage or oversee the premises. On the issue of fire safety clearance, Bajaj allegedly told police that any residential building less than 15 metres high does not require a Fire No Objection Certificate under Rule 27 of the Delhi Fire Service Rules, 2010. During interrogation, he is also learnt to have said day-to-day operations had been handed over to “another person”, who was managing billing, accounts and overall functioning of the property. He further allegedly told investigators that structural changes, including expansion of rooms and other modifications, were suggested by another individual who assured him that such arrangements were “routine” and that “everything works in Delhi,” sources said. Police sources added that Bajaj has admitted the premises did not have a Fire NOC. Investigators are now verifying records from the electricity department and other agencies to check approvals, permissions and compliance linked to the property, including structural alterations. They are also examining ownership and control of multiple properties connected to the accused as part of a wider probe. Bajaj is expected to be produced before a court on Thursday, with police likely to seek custodial remand for further questioning to verify his claims and identify other individuals involved. Delhi Police had earlier issued a Lookout Circular against Bajaj and his wife. According to officials, 49 people were admitted to hospitals after the fire. Of them, 21 died during treatment, while eight have been discharged. Others remain under medical care. Preliminary findings by the Delhi Fire Services suggest the blaze may have originated near the staircase on the ground floor, where material stored there is suspected to have triggered the fire before it spread rapidly through the building. Sources said all windows in the building were allegedly sealed, leaving occupants with limited escape routes once the fire intensified. Firefighters also recovered LPG cylinders from the premises during rescue operations.(With inputs from agencies)