The Delhi Police on Thursday scoured a fire-ravaged hotel building in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the deadly
blaze and questioned locals and hotel staff. At least 21 people, including 12 foreigners, were killed in the Delhi Hotel Fire. The police have registered a case under charges including culpable homicide. Police have registered a case under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 326(g) (offence of mischief by fire), 324(5) (wrongful damage of property), 125(a) (penalise negligence act that endangers human life and safety), 125(b) (grievous hurt by negligence) and 287 BNS (negligence conduct with respect of fire). The Delhi government-led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has decided to withdraw the withdraw its Bed and Breakfast (B&B) policy after Malviya Nagar fire tragedy, said Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra. The government will also review all establishments operating under the scheme following the deadly fire at the hotel. Lavkesh Bajaj, the owner of Flourish Stay B&B, was passing by the spot at the time of the incident; however, he did not stop and fled from the scene "out of fear". At least 21 people were killed in the national capital after a devastating blaze tore through a hotel operating without a fire NOC in a congested bylane in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area. After fleeing the spot, Bajaj did not return home, but kept roaming around the city. Bajaj claimed during the interrogation that he did not have the time to personally manage the premises, and it was being done by another person.
He also claimed that the structural changes, including an increase in room size and modifications, were suggested by the "another person."
Bajaj claimed that the "another person" had assured him that such arrangements were "routine" and that "everything works in Delhi," sources told the news agency.
During interrogation, he revealed that around three years ago, he had purchased the property/building from an individual named Ahluwalia and was operating a hotel-cum-guest house there. The building was in a dilapidated condition and housed a Khadi shop. Delhi Police is now looking for Hotel Manager Jai Mishra in the case.
