An MCD disclosure has brought the spotlight back on licensing and compliance issues at the Hauz Rani property as multiple agencies continue their investigation.
(Left) Police personnel secure the area after the deadly Malviya Nagar fire in New Delhi that claimed 21 lives. (Right) Delhi Police with Hotel Flourish Stays co-owner Lovkesh Bajaj after his arrest in connection with the incident. (Photos: ANI)
Fresh questions have emerged over regulatory compliance at the bed and breakfast in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar that was gutted by fire earlier this week after civic officials revealed that its owner applied for a licence renewal barely an hour after the blaze broke out.
The Times of India mentioned Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials as saying that the application was submitted on June 3, the day of the fire, even though the licence in question had already expired on March 31. The application was subsequently rejected.
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The disclosure adds another layer to the scrutiny surrounding the Hauz Rani property, where investigators are examining possible violations related to fire safety, building norms and commercial operations. Officials are also looking into whether the premises was operating beyond the scope of permissions granted to it.
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MCD officials said the ground floor of the property held a licence meant for a tea and snacks establishment without seating arrangements, a category that qualifies for an instant licence.
The licence had been issued to Lovkesh Bajaj and expired on March 31. Civic officials said Bajaj applied for a fresh health trade licence under the same category on the morning of June 3.
“The applicant submitted the application at 9.35 am on the morning of the incident and also deposited the fee. However, the application was rejected by our department,” TOI cited an MCD official as saying.
Officials noted that the application was made despite MCD recently deregulating the tea and snacks category, under which only a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) approval is now required through a health trade licence framework.
MCD officials said the licence held by Bajaj was linked only to the ground-floor establishment and not to the operation of the bed and breakfast facility itself.
“While the tea and snacks licence was issued to a person identified as Lovkesh Bajaj, a separate licence for operating the B&B facility had been issued by another agency to Jai Mishra. Personal kitchen facilities were provided on each floor,” TOI mentioned an official as saying.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the fire.
The newspaper also mentioned sources in the civic body as claiming that an MCD survey conducted around eight months ago found that a full-fledged restaurant was allegedly operating from the premises despite licence conditions permitting only a tea and snacks outlet without seating.
Despite the observations, no action was reportedly taken at the time.
Following the fire, MCD conducted a preliminary inspection in the area and identified 12 hotels that were allegedly operating in violation of health trade licence norms.
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