New Delhi: Delhi Police have launched search operations across the national capital to trace the manager of the Malviya Nagar hotel where a devastating fire claimed 21 lives on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the property’s owner has been arrested and booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The development comes a day after a massive blaze engulfed a bed-and-breakfast establishment operating from a multi-storey building in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar, killing 21 people, including 12 foreign nationals and nine Indians.
Police have arrested hotel owner Lovkesh Bajaj and registered an FIR against him at Malviya Nagar Police Station under several sections of the BNS, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing damage by fire, mischief resulting in property damage, acts endangering life, and negligent conduct involving combustible material.
According to officials, Bajaj told investigators during questioning that he was not directly involved in the day-to-day management of the property and had entrusted its operations to another individual responsible for billing, accounts and overall administration.
He allegedly told police that modifications to the building, including room expansions and other structural alterations, were suggested by another person who assured him that such arrangements were common practice.
During interrogation, Bajaj is also understood to have admitted that the premises did not have a valid fire No Objection Certificate (NOC), a key issue now under scrutiny as investigators probe possible safety violations.
Police teams are conducting raids and search operations to locate the manager and other individuals linked to the hotel’s operations.
Investigators are also examining records from the electricity department and other civic agencies to verify approvals, permissions and regulatory compliance related to the property, including any unauthorised structural modifications.
Authorities are further probing the ownership and management details of multiple properties allegedly linked to the accused as part of the wider investigation.
