The investigation into the devastating fire at a hotel in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar, which claimed 21 lives, is being carried out by Delhi Police under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Chief Fire Officer AK Malik said on Thursday, while pointing to serious concerns about the building’s design and emergency exit arrangements.
The tragedy has triggered a wider review of similar commercial buildings across the national capital, with authorities constituting a high-powered committee to identify structures that may pose fire safety risks.
Speaking about the rescue operation, Malik said firefighters found it extremely difficult to access occupants because the building was effectively sealed from the outside. According to him, all windows had been permanently closed, leaving those trapped inside with little opportunity to escape once the fire broke out.
“We observed that the building was so designed that the occupants find it very difficult to escape,” Malik said, adding that people inside had only a few seconds or minutes to get out during an emergency.
He noted that the fire originated on the ground floor, cutting off a crucial escape route for those staying in the upper levels. Malik further said the building, which had a ground-plus-five structure, required two staircases under applicable building by-laws.
“We observed during the firefighting and search and rescue operation, which we conducted, the complete building is sealed. All the windows of the building are sealed properly and permanently… In such buildings, an occupant has very few seconds or minutes to escape from the building. One main reason is that the fire was on the ground floor. So they don’t get a chance to escape from the building… In this case, the building was ground plus five, and under the building by-law, it required two staircases…” he said.
High-powered committee to survey vulnerable buildings
Malik said Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu took serious note of the tragedy and convened a high-level meeting soon after the incident.
Following the meeting, authorities decided to form a committee headed by the district magistrate concerned. The panel will also include officials from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Delhi Police.
The committee has been tasked with surveying similar buildings to assess compliance with safety norms and identify potential hazards.
“Delhi LG took cognisance of the incident, and he was very serious about it. A high-level meeting was called in the evening, and it was decided that a high-powered committee would be constituted, led by the DM of the district, having members including the DC of the MCD as well as the DCP of the Delhi police. This committee will carry out the survey of such buildings.”
Hotel owner remanded to police custody
Meanwhile, a Delhi court on Thursday remanded Lovkesh Bajaj, owner of Flourish Stays Hotel, to four days of police custody in connection with the fire.
Bajaj was produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class Bhanu Pratap Singh at Saket Courts after his arrest by Delhi Police.
Police have booked him under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, mischief by fire, damage to property, endangering life and personal safety, and negligent conduct involving fire.
The investigation is continuing as authorities examine whether violations of building and fire safety norms contributed to one of Delhi’s deadliest fire incidents in recent years.