On 3rd June, Delhi Police arrested Lavkesh Bajaj, owner of the building that housed Flourish Stay B&B in Malviya Nagar. Bajaj was arrested hours after a massive fire killed 21 people, including 18 foreigners, at the 5-storey guest house in south Delhi’s Hauz Rani area. Bajaj was reportedly on the run following the tragic incident.
Among the deceased, 18 were foreigners from African nations, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and other countries. The incident has raised serious questions over violations of fire safety and building regulations.
Earlier in the day, police had issued a lookout circular against Bajaj and his wife before launching a search operation to trace them. An FIR has been registered under charges of culpable homicide and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Guest house reportedly had no fire NOC
According to media reports, investigators and Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood stated that the guest house was operating without the mandatory fire no objection certificate (NOC) and in violation of several safety norms.
The building had only one entry and exit point. The windows were permanently sealed, and the main door was sensor operated. These conditions are believed to have severely affected evacuation as the fire spread rapidly through the structure.
Furthermore, police pointed out that the property had permission for only six rooms under the Delhi government’s Bed and Breakfast policy. However, it was running around 25 rooms, including some in the basement. Additional floors were reportedly added over the years without taking any approvals from the concerned departments.
Reports suggest that Bajaj had visited the property following the incident but had fled the scene out of fear instead of stopping and wandered around before getting arrested by the police.
Inspection drive ordered
Following the incident, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has ordered a month-long inspection drive to cover hotels, nursing homes, coaching centres, restaurants and other vulnerable commercial establishments across the National Capital.
Chaired an emergency high-level review meeting today along with Minister of Home, GNCTD, Shri @ashishsood_bjp, following the tragic fire incident in Malviya Nagar. A comprehensive multi-departmental action plan for strengthening fire safety across Delhi has been formulated under… pic.twitter.com/wTgYr9OYv4
— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) June 3, 2026
Home Minister Ashish Sood has directed citywide verification of Bed and Breakfast properties by the Delhi Fire Services and the Power Department.
Delhi: On the fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Minister Ashish Sood says, "The entire administration is deeply concerned and distressed by this tragic incident. We are committed to ensuring that such incidents do not recur. As part of the enforcement action, buildings that do not… pic.twitter.com/nB1KdxA7q0
— IANS (@ians_india) June 3, 2026
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government was monitoring the situation and had sought a detailed report. In a post on X, CMO Delhi stated that accountability would be fixed wherever it lies. Furthermore, a magisterial inquiry has been ordered in the matter.
The lapses that culminated in the tragic fire at a guest house in Malviya Nagar will be examined with utmost seriousness, and accountability will be fixed wherever it lies.
— CMO Delhi (@CMODelhi) June 3, 2026
A Magisterial Inquiry has been ordered and an FIR has been registered against the owner of the property.…
Police said the role of others linked to the guest house is also being probed.
