The Delhi Police have filed a charge sheet against three accused, including hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj, in connection with the Malviya Nagar hotel fire tragedy that claimed 21 lives, officials said on Tuesday.
Bajaj was arrested shortly after the fire following a search operation launched by the Delhi Police. The Delhi government had earlier ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and announced a city-wide crackdown against illegal properties, unauthorised guest houses, and establishments operating in violation of fire safety norms and building by-laws. The devastating fire had engulfed the Flourish Stay hotel in the congested Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar in the early hours, trapping guests inside the multi-storey building. A Look Out Circular had also been issued against him and his wife during the initial investigation. Preliminary investigations had indicated that a short circuit may have triggered the blaze, while investigators also examined whether mandatory fire safety measures and evacuation arrangements were in place.
Police had found that the property was registered under the Bed and Breakfast (B&B) scheme, which permitted operation of only six rooms, but was allegedly being run with around 25 rooms.
Negligence on the part of the hotel management and alleged violations of safety norms form the basis of the case against the accused, according to police. The blaze affected the basement, ground floor and five upper floors of the multi-storey building, with heat and smoke causing extensive damage, according to the Delhi Fire Services.
