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Delhi Police on Thursday arrested Lavkesh Bajaj, the owner of the hotel building where a devastating fire claimed 21 lives in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area, officials said.
The arrest came hours after the blaze engulfed the Flourish Stay B&B located in the densely populated Hauz Rani locality.
Earlier, police had issued a lookout circular against Bajaj and his wife and launched efforts to locate them following the incident.
According to officials, the fire swept through the guesthouse, which was allegedly operating without a mandatory fire no-objection certificate (NOC). The tragedy left 21 people dead, including 10 Indian nationals, nine African nationals and two citizens of Turkmenistan.
The blaze spread rapidly through the five-storey building, which allegedly lacked the mandatory fire no-objection certificate (NOC). The structure had only one entry-exit point, permanently sealed windows and a sensor-operated main door, factors that investigators believe hampered the evacuation efforts.
At least 58 people were rescued and taken to hospitals, where 21 were declared dead.
The investigators have alleged that the hotel was operating far beyond its permitted capacity and in violation of safety norms.
Police sources said the establishment had permission for only six rooms under the Delhi government's Bed & Breakfast policy but was allegedly running around 25 rooms, including some in the basement.
Additional floors were allegedly constructed over the years without obtaining required approvals from the authorities, the sources said.
Police have registered an FIR under the charges of culpable homicide and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police are examining the role of other persons associated with the establishment, officials said.
With inputs from agencies
The arrest came hours after the blaze engulfed the Flourish Stay B&B located in the densely populated Hauz Rani locality.
Earlier, police had issued a lookout circular against Bajaj and his wife and launched efforts to locate them following the incident.
According to officials, the fire swept through the guesthouse, which was allegedly operating without a mandatory fire no-objection certificate (NOC). The tragedy left 21 people dead, including 10 Indian nationals, nine African nationals and two citizens of Turkmenistan.
The blaze spread rapidly through the five-storey building, which allegedly lacked the mandatory fire no-objection certificate (NOC). The structure had only one entry-exit point, permanently sealed windows and a sensor-operated main door, factors that investigators believe hampered the evacuation efforts.
At least 58 people were rescued and taken to hospitals, where 21 were declared dead.
The investigators have alleged that the hotel was operating far beyond its permitted capacity and in violation of safety norms.
Police sources said the establishment had permission for only six rooms under the Delhi government's Bed & Breakfast policy but was allegedly running around 25 rooms, including some in the basement.
Additional floors were allegedly constructed over the years without obtaining required approvals from the authorities, the sources said.
Police have registered an FIR under the charges of culpable homicide and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police are examining the role of other persons associated with the establishment, officials said.
With inputs from agencies
