Investigators say negligence and multiple fire safety violations contributed to the blaze that tore through the Malviya Nagar hotel
The investigation into the deadly fire at a hotel in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar has gathered pace, with police arresting the property’s cook after preliminary findings linked negligence to the tragedy that claimed 21 lives.
Officials on Saturday confirmed the arrest of Keshav Negi, 65, a resident of Dilshad Garden, who worked as a cook at the Flourish Stay Hotel. Investigators believe his alleged negligence played a key role in the fire that engulfed the five-storey building on June 3.
The blaze broke out at the hotel located in the Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar and quickly spread through the premises, trapping several occupants inside. The incident is among the deadliest fire tragedies reported in the national capital in recent years.
Safety violations under scrutiny
The investigation has uncovered multiple alleged violations of fire safety norms at the hotel. According to officials, the property was operating without a mandatory Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Authorities also found that the building had only one entry-exit point, sealed windows and a sensor-operated main entrance, all of which significantly hindered evacuation efforts during the emergency.
Among those who lost their lives were 10 Indian nationals, nine African nationals and two citizens of Turkmenistan.
Hotel owner already arrested
Police had earlier arrested hotel owner Lovkesh Bajaj following an intensive search operation. A Look-Out Circular (LOC) had been issued against Bajaj and his wife after the fire incident.
Bajaj has been booked under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, mischief by fire, causing property damage, endangering human life and negligent handling of fire-related risks.
A court in Saket has remanded him to four days of police custody to assist investigators in examining the circumstances surrounding the blaze.
Separate immigration case
Apart from the fire investigation, Bajaj is also facing legal action in a separate case linked to alleged facilitation of illegal immigration.
According to police, he admitted during questioning that he had allowed Bangladeshi nationals Sweety Sarkar and her daughter Pushpo Sarkar to use his Chattarpur residential address to obtain Indian identity documents, including Aadhaar cards and passports, in return for money.
Police said both women were residing in Delhi using allegedly fraudulent documents. Bajaj, Sweety Sarkar and Pushpo Sarkar were arrested in the case, and a chargesheet has already been filed before the court.
The investigation into the fire and related allegations remains ongoing.
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