Malviya Nagar fire: Harsh Malhotra calls it the result of 27 years of corruption by successive govts

Delhi BJP president and MP from East Delhi Harsh Malhotra on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the untimely death of 21 people in the fire incident at a hotel allegedly operating illegally in Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar Assembly constituency.

Malhotra called it a matter of grave concern that during the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in 2024, a Bread and Breakfast license issued for only six rooms was allegedly used to operate an illegal hotel across the entire building. During the AAP regime, the establishment also received high-load electricity connections, and reportedly, even the mandatory Fire NOC was reportedly not properly verified.

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The Delhi BJP chief said that the alleged collusion between the then Congress and Kejriwal governments and hoteliers clearly allowed numerous illegal hotels to open across Delhi between 1998 and 2024 using incomplete licenses.

He added that the present chaotic conditions in Delhi’s hotel sector resulted from 27 years of corruption under successive Delhi governments.
The Delhi BJP chief further stated that the National Capital’s residents are astonished to see AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj making political statements about the tragic fire incident, as the Tourism Department granted an incomplete license to the hotel during his tenure as a minister in May 2024. Bharadwaj should explain how such a serious lapse occurred while he was in office.

Malhotra also said that Delhi government’s Minister Ashish Sood, along with local MLA Satish Upadhyay, visited Hauz Rani this morning.
Based on their report, CM Rekha Gupta immediately ordered inspections of hotels, motels and similar establishments not only in Hauz Rani but across Delhi.
He stated that if any deficiency is found in compliance with prescribed norms, electricity supply will be disconnected immediately and the establishment will be shut down.