Malviya Nagar hotel owner showed ‘Delhi mai sab chalta hai’ attitude, ‘uncooperative’ during investigation, claim cops

Luvkesh Kumar Bajaj, the owner of the Flourish Stay B&B hotel in Malviya Nagar, displayed a "Delhi mai sab chalta hai" (everything works in Delhi) attitude and was uncooperative during the investigation into a deadly fire that killed 21 people, according to police officials. Bajaj, now in police custody, allegedly told investigators that this mindset, developed as the business became profitable, encouraged him to illegally expand the property from two-and-a-half stories to five floors. Police revealed a pattern of greed, regulatory violations, and disregard for safety norms. The fire erupted early Wednesday in the congested Hauz Rani area of South Delhi. Among the 21 victims, 18 were foreign nationals from African nations, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The property was reportedly operating far beyond its permitted capacity, with 24 rooms despite approval for only six. Furthermore, it housed an unlicensed restaurant in the basement, having permission only for a tea-and-snack shop. The structure lacked a sanctioned building plan and a fire safety no-objection certificate (NOC). An eyewitness, Md Wasim Khan, claimed he called Bajaj after the fire started and alleged that the owner arrived at the scene but made no effort to help those trapped inside. While Bajaj has been arrested and remanded for four days, the hotel manager, Jai Mishra, who allegedly helped Bajaj obtain licenses, remains absconding. Five police teams are reportedly searching for Mishra.

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Delhi me sab chalta hai