Hotel Owner Arrested as Delhi Fire Tragedy Claims 21 Lives; Probe Widens Into Safety Violations

New Delhi, June 2026 : In a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the devastating Malviya Nagar hotel fire, Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested Lavkesh Bajaj, owner of the hotel building where a massive blaze claimed 21 lives and injured several others. The arrest came after an intensive search operation launched soon after the tragedy, which has emerged as one of the deadliest fire incidents in the national capital in recent years.

Police officials said Bajaj had been absconding since the fire broke out at the multi-storey Flourish Stay hotel in South Delhi. A lookout circular was issued against him, and multiple teams were deployed across the city to track his whereabouts. Following coordinated raids at several locations, investigators finally succeeded in taking him into custody.

The arrest marks a major development in the case, as authorities continue to examine allegations of negligence, regulatory violations and serious lapses in safety compliance that may have contributed to the high casualty count.

A criminal case has already been registered under provisions related to culpable homicide and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators are now scrutinising the management and ownership structure of the establishment, including the role of three other individuals believed to be associated with the operation of the hotel.

According to sources, the group is suspected of running multiple hotels and guest houses across Delhi. This has prompted authorities to expand the investigation to examine licensing procedures, operational practices and compliance with fire safety regulations across their properties.

Preliminary findings have raised serious concerns about the functioning of the hotel. Officials suspect that the establishment, reportedly registered under the Bed and Breakfast (B&B) category, was operating far beyond its authorised capacity. While permission had allegedly been granted for only six rooms, investigators believe nearly 25 rooms were being used to accommodate guests.

The hotel’s fire safety infrastructure has also come under intense scrutiny. Initial reports suggest that the building had only a single common entry and exit point, a factor that may have significantly hindered evacuation efforts as the fire rapidly engulfed the structure. Authorities are examining whether adequate fire-fighting systems, emergency exits and evacuation protocols were in place.

The blaze erupted around 8.50 a.m. and is believed to have originated in a restaurant operating in the hotel’s basement before spreading quickly through the building. Firefighters, police personnel and disaster response teams launched a large-scale rescue operation that continued for several hours.

Officials confirmed that 47 people were successfully rescued from the hotel, while 21 people lost their lives. Among the victims were 17 foreign nationals from countries including Liberia, Nigeria, Mozambique and Bangladesh, highlighting the international dimension of the tragedy.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, provided details about the injured brought to its Trauma Centre following the incident. According to hospital authorities, 13 patients were admitted after the fire. Three of them had sustained injuries after jumping from the building in desperate attempts to escape the flames.

Two of those victims later left the hospital against medical advice after being declared stable. However, a woman who suffered a severe head injury after falling from the building underwent surgery and remains in critical condition.

AIIMS also revealed that 10 of the 13 admitted patients were Delhi Police personnel involved in rescue operations. The officers were among the first responders who entered the smoke-filled building to evacuate trapped occupants. Hospital officials said all ten personnel are stable and are expected to be discharged after observation.

In addition, three unidentified bodies were brought to the hospital and transferred to the Burns and Plastic Surgery Department for further procedures and identification.

Authorities have completed rescue operations and are now focusing on the investigation into the cause of the fire and the extent of alleged violations. The arrest of the hotel owner is expected to accelerate the probe as officials seek to determine accountability for a disaster that has shocked the city and raised fresh questions about enforcement of safety regulations in hospitality establishments.

The investigation remains ongoing, with police expected to question additional suspects and examine records related to licensing, occupancy limits and fire safety compliance in the coming days.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)