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Delhi Police has arrested Lavkesh Bajaj, proprietor of the edifice gathering successful Malviya Nagar wherever a devastating occurrence killed 21 people connected Wednesday (June 3, 2026), officials said.
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Mr. Bajaj was arrested hours aft the blaze ripped done the Flourish Stay B&B successful the congested Hauz Rani country successful southbound Delhi.
Police had earlier issued a look retired circular (LOC) against Mr. Bajaj and his wife, and launched an cognition to hint them.
The blaze tore done the hotel, allegedly operating without a occurrence NOC successful a congested bylane successful the area, sidesplitting astatine slightest 21 people, including 10 Indians, 9 African nationals, and 2 from Turkmenistan, officials said.
The blaze dispersed rapidly done the five-storey building, which allegedly lacked the mandatory occurrence no-objection certificate (NOC). The operation had lone 1 entry-exit point, permanently sealed windows and a sensor-operated main door, factors that investigators judge hampered the evacuation efforts.
At slightest 58 radical were rescued and taken to hospitals, wherever 21 were declared dead.
The investigators person alleged that the edifice was operating acold beyond its permitted capableness and successful usurpation of information norms.
Police sources said the constitution had support for lone six rooms nether the Delhi government's Bed & Breakfast argumentation but was allegedly moving astir 25 rooms, including immoderate successful the basement.
Additional floors were allegedly constructed implicit the years without obtaining required approvals from the authorities, the sources said.
Police person registered an FIR nether the charges of culpable homicide and different applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police are examining the relation of different persons associated with the establishment, officials said.
