The Delhi Police have filed a charge sheet against three accused, including hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj, in connection with the Malviya Nagar hotel fire tragedy that claimed 21 lives. The charge sheet has been filed before the Saket Court and is scheduled to be taken up for consideration on Thursday.

According to police, negligence by the hotel management and alleged violations of safety norms form the basis of the case. The fire had engulfed the Flourish Stay hotel in the congested Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar during the early hours, trapping guests inside the multi-storey building.

The blaze affected the basement, ground floor and five upper floors, with heat and smoke causing extensive damage, according to the Delhi Fire Services. Of the 21 people who died, nine were Indians while the remaining victims were foreign nationals from Bangladesh, Liberia, Nigeria and Mozambique.

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The case was registered under provisions relating to culpable homicide and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, following allegations of serious safety violations, regulatory lapses and negligence. Preliminary investigations had indicated that a short circuit may have triggered the fire, while investigators also examined whether mandatory fire safety measures and evacuation arrangements were in place.

Police found that the property was registered under the Bed and Breakfast scheme, under which only six rooms were permitted, but it was allegedly being operated with around 25 rooms. Several rooms were also allegedly being operated in the basement, raising questions over compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

Bajaj was arrested shortly after the fire following a search operation by Delhi Police, while a Look Out Circular was also issued against him and his wife during the initial investigation. The Delhi government had earlier ordered a magisterial inquiry into the tragedy and announced measures against illegal properties, unauthorised guest houses and establishments operating in violation of fire safety norms and building by-laws.

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