Malviya Nagar Fire Tragedy: Hotel Owner Sent to 4-Day Police Custody

The investigation into the deadly fire at Flourish Stays Hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar has entered a crucial phase, with a Delhi court sending hotel owner Lovkesh Bajaj to four days of police custody.

The move comes as investigators seek to uncover the circumstances surrounding the fire that killed 21 people and injured 28 others, including foreign nationals. Authorities argue that custodial interrogation is necessary to trace other individuals linked to the hotel's operations and gather documentary and digital evidence relevant to the case.

What Happened in the Malviya Nagar Fire Tragedy?

The fire broke out at Flourish Stays Hotel in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar, on the morning of June 3.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the blaze resulted in the deaths of 21 people, while another 28 sustained injuries. The incident is among the deadliest hotel fire tragedies in the national capital in recent years and has triggered a wide-ranging investigation into possible lapses in safety compliance and hotel operations.

Why Was the Hotel Owner Arrested?

Hotel owner Lovkesh Bajaj was arrested by Delhi Police and produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Bhanu Pratap Singh at Saket Courts.

Police have booked him under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, mischief by fire, damage to property, endangering human life, and negligent conduct involving fire.

Investigators contend that Bajaj's role as owner makes his questioning essential to understanding how the hotel was being operated and whether mandatory legal and safety requirements were followed.

What Arguments Did the Defence Make?

During the hearing, Bajaj's counsel opposed the police request for custody.

The defence argued that investigators were already aware of the relevant facts and that custodial interrogation was unnecessary. It also questioned whether the legal procedures governing the arrest had been properly followed.

However, after reviewing the records, the court found that the grounds for arrest had been communicated to the accused in writing and that information about the arrest had been conveyed to his wife, satisfying procedural requirements.

Why Did the Court Uphold the Arrest?

After examining the case records, the court concluded that the arrest was lawful and justified given the seriousness of the allegations.

The court observed:

"Considering the serious allegations against the accused of committing an offence punishable with imprisonment for life, this Court is of the view that the arrest of the accused Lovkesh Bajaj is lawful and justified."

This finding cleared the way for the court to consider the police request for custodial interrogation.

Why Do Police Want Custodial Interrogation?

Investigators told the court that they require Bajaj's custody to gather critical evidence and identify other individuals connected to the hotel's functioning.

According to the police, custodial interrogation is necessary to verify details of workers and employees associated with the hotel, trace and apprehend hotel manager Rakesh and accountant Jay Mishra, and recover records relating to ownership, operations, electricity usage, guest registrations, bookings, finances, and banking transactions.

Police also seek to seize and examine electronic devices and digital evidence that may help reconstruct events leading up to the fire.

What Did the Court Say While Granting Custody?

The court accepted the police argument that the investigation remains at an early stage and that further questioning of the accused is necessary.

Allowing the request, the court noted: "Considering that the investigation is at the initial stage, this Court is of the view that custodial interrogation of the accused is necessary for the discovery of relevant facts leading to the incident and to verify the alleged lapses in compliance with mandatory laws."

The court further stated that police custody was required to trace other persons whose possible involvement had emerged during the investigation and to recover relevant documentary and electronic evidence.

What Happens Next in the Investigation?

Over the next four days, investigators are expected to question Bajaj regarding the hotel's ownership structure, operational practices, staffing arrangements, financial records, and compliance with legal and safety requirements.

Police will also focus on locating the hotel's manager and accountant, whose roles are now under scrutiny, while examining digital devices and records that could shed light on the events preceding the tragedy.

As the probe continues, authorities are expected to determine whether negligence, safety violations, or other lapses contributed to the fire that claimed 21 lives and left dozens injured. The findings could shape the future course of criminal proceedings in one of Delhi's most devastating recent fire incidents.

(With inputs from ANI)