Delhi's Malviya Nagar Fire Live: Lavkesh Bajaj, owner of Delhi hotel where 21 were killed in fire, arrested

Delhi Police have arrested hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj in connection with the deadly Malviya Nagar fire tragedy that claimed 21 lives, including foreign nationals.

Earlier, police had issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Bajaj and his wife as investigators intensified efforts to trace those responsible for the operation of the guest house where the fire broke out.

Delhi Police has issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and his wife in connection with the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy. The action has been taken to prevent the accused from leaving the country as the investigation into the deadly incident continues.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has expressed grief over the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy, describing the incident as deeply distressing. In a message, he conveyed his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the blaze.

Delhi Police is preparing to issue a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Lavkesh Bajaj and other accused in connection with the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy, sources said. The move is aimed at preventing the accused from fleeing the country as the investigation progresses.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed condolences over the loss of lives, including foreign nationals, in the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy. In a post on X, Jaishankar said the Ministry of External Affairs is in touch with the concerned embassies and is extending all necessary assistance. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.

Hours after the deadly fire in Malviya Nagar that claimed at least 21 lives, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu ordered a month-long drive to check fire safety compliance across the city. The exercise will cover hotels, nursing homes, coaching institutes, restaurants and other vulnerable commercial establishments.

Delhi Minister Ashish Sood said the administration is deeply concerned by the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy and is committed to preventing such incidents in the future. He stated that buildings operating without the required documents, permissions and NOCs will be inspected and sealed. Sood said the premises involved in the incident had been granted permission in 2024 to operate as a six-room bed-and-breakfast establishment. Following the tragedy, the government has decided to conduct a thorough investigation, and establishments found violating norms will face cancellation of their permissions.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed grief over the tragic fire incident in Delhi's Malviya Nagar that claimed several lives. In a message, Banerjee said she was deeply saddened by the tragedy and extended her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. She also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and wished strength, courage and solace to everyone affected by the incident.

Delhi BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri termed the Malviya Nagar fire a "terrible tragedy" and demanded strict action against those responsible for the incident. Expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, Bidhuri said the Delhi government had ordered an inquiry and assured that the report would be made public.

He alleged that the building where the restaurant or hotel was operating did not have the mandatory fire department No Objection Certificate (NOC) and was functioning in violation of building bylaws. He said accountability must also be fixed on Municipal Corporation officials responsible for overseeing construction in the area.

Bidhuri said several people were injured in the blaze and are receiving medical treatment, with expenses to be jointly borne by the Delhi and Central governments. He added that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had expressed concern over the tragedy. He further said around 10 police personnel were injured while carrying out rescue operations and had been admitted to hospital. Financial assistance for the affected families would be announced by the Delhi government soon, he added.

Lavkesh Bajaj, one of the key accused in connection with the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy that claimed 21 lives, remains absconding. According to information received, Bajaj owns a luxurious bungalow in the Saket area of Delhi.

Authorities have confirmed that among the 21 people who died in the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy, six have been identified as foreign nationals and nine as Indian citizens. The identities of six other victims are yet to be established. Efforts are underway to identify the remaining bodies and inform the families of those affected.

According to information accessed by India Today, the restaurant operating on the lower floor of the hotel was functioning illegally. Sources said the restaurant owner did not possess any licence to run the establishment and that the restaurant was being operated without the required permissions.

The first call regarding the fire was received by the Delhi Fire Department at 8:50 pm, followed by a second call at 8:55 pm and a third at 9:16 pm. Firefighting operations continued for several hours as teams worked to control the blaze and search the building.

Delhi Police received information about the incident at 8:48 pm and immediately launched a rescue operation. According to police, teams began efforts to evacuate people trapped inside the building even before the arrival of other agencies. More than 40 people were rescued with the help of multiple agencies, but 21 people lost their lives in the incident.

Recovery operations continued through the night, with bodies being brought out of the building even after 11 am the following day.

Delhi Fire Services has identified Hotel Flourish Stay as the establishment where the fire broke out, resulting in the deaths of 21 people. The identification of the hotel comes as authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deadly blaze and examine safety compliance at the premises.

The owner of the hotel linked to the Malviya Nagar fire incident has been identified as Lokesh Bajaj, also known as Tinku. Police have launched raids to apprehend him. According to information received, Bajaj owns three hotels in the Malviya Nagar area — Flourish Stay, Flourish Inn and Lemon Green.

Of the 21 people who lost their lives in the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy, 18 were foreign nationals. The victims include citizens of Nigeria, Mozambique, Bangladesh and Liberia.

The Lieutenant Governor will hold a meeting at 5 pm following the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy. The meeting will be attended by the Chief Secretary, the DC of the area and officials of the Fire Department.

Ten Delhi Police personnel who were part of the rescue and firefighting efforts during the Malviya Nagar fire incident were admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after being exposed to the high-risk red zone at the site. The injured personnel include five officials from PS Malviya Nagar, four from PS Neb Sarai, and one from the PCR unit. Police sources said all 10 personnel were initially in the red zone during the operation but are now stable and under observation at AIIMS Trauma Centre. Their hospitalisation highlights the challenging conditions faced by first responders as they worked to evacuate people and contain the blaze.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has expressed grief over the deaths in the Malviya Nagar restaurant fire and accused the BJP of administrative failure. In a post on X, Yadav said the incident exposed the BJP government's claims on governance and alleged that corruption had led to negligence in fire safety arrangements and the maintenance of firefighting equipment. He questioned who would be held accountable for the tragedy, noting that BJP leaders occupy positions across the administrative hierarchy in Delhi.

Delhi Fire Services Chief has endorsed findings from India Today's on-the-spot investigation into the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy, confirming that the hotel where the blaze broke out did not possess a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). According to the fire chief, the structure of the building itself was such that it could not have qualified for a fire NOC under existing safety norms. He further revealed that several hotels operating in the surrounding area also do not have fire NOCs, raising serious concerns about fire safety compliance and enforcement in the locality.

At least 10 Delhi Police personnel were admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre for smoke inhalation during rescue efforts.

-Arvind Ojha input

Dr Sandeep Budhiraja of Max Hospital said 15 patients are in the ICU, including 8 on ventilators. One patient has been shifted to Safdarjung Hospital. Five patients with minor injuries have been discharged after treatment. He noted different types of injuries, including a spinal injury. Both Indian and foreign nationals are among those admitted and receiving ongoing care.

-Amit Bhardwaj input

Former DFS Director Atul Garg said, "More than 22 people have died… this is a very unfortunate incident in Delhi". He noted the area is congested, with "fire tenders cannot go easily" and limited water sources. He added, "Many houses have only one staircase… there was a lot of smoke". He also cited lack of NOC and ongoing rescue efforts.

-ANI

Max Hospital, Saket, issued a revised statement after a fire incident, confirming that 39 patients were brought to its emergency department. On arrival, all underwent immediate assessment and treatment under emergency protocols. Patients suffered from asphyxiation, minor burns, and fractures. Eighteen were declared brought dead, while 15 are in ICU, including eight on a ventilator and in critical condition. Five patients with minor injuries were discharged after treatment, and one was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital due to severe burns. The hospital said both local and foreign nationals are among the deceased and has expressed condolences to affected families.

Delhi Fire officer Ravinder Singh said the Malviya Nagar B&B was "smoke-locked" with fire spreading throughout the building. He noted that rescue teams evacuated trapped occupants and sent them to hospitals, with several in serious condition. He added that most guests were attendants of patients at nearby Max Hospital, including foreign nationals.

-PTI

Reacting to the Delhi fire incident, Union Minister Ravneet Bittu said that irrespective of the cause, strict action must be taken. He stated that the Modi government is known for decisive action and stressed that accountability should be fixed for the tragedy.

-Kamaljit Sandhu input

Preliminary findings in the Malviya Nagar B&B fire case indicate serious alleged safety lapses. While permission was reportedly granted for only six rooms, as many as 18 rooms had been constructed. Investigators have also flagged exposed electrical wiring and the absence of a proper emergency exit route, raising concerns about the building's safety compliance.

-Sushant Mehra input

Max Hospital, Saket said it received 39 patients following the devastating Malviya Nagar fire. According to the hospital, all patients underwent immediate assessment and were treated by multidisciplinary teams under established emergency response protocols. The victims suffered from asphyxiation, burn injuries, and fractures of varying severity.

Of the 39 patients, 18 were brought dead. Fifteen patients are currently admitted to the ICU, including eight who are on ventilator support and remain in critical condition. Five patients with minor injuries were treated and discharged, while one patient was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital due to extensive burns.

The hospital stated that the deceased included both Indian and foreign nationals. It said mass-casualty response protocols were activated immediately, with all available clinical and support resources mobilised. The hospital also extended its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

A video shared on the social media page of Flourish Stay B&B suggests the property was largely used by patients and attendants visiting nearby hospitals who required extended accommodation. The footage highlights facilities designed for long-term stays, including in-room kitchens that allowed guests to prepare their own meals, indicating the hotel catered to those seeking a more residential setup during medical treatment.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed grief over the deadly fire in Malviya Nagar, praying for the peace of the souls of those who lost their lives. Calling the incident “extremely concerning,” he highlighted the loss of over 20 lives and raised concerns over recurring fire incidents in Delhi that continue to claim innocent lives.

A dramatic video from the Malviya Nagar hotel fire shows two women, engulfed in flames, jumping from an upper floor of the building within seconds of each other as the blaze spread. Locals rushed to help, cushioning their fall with a tarpaulin and wrapping them in blankets. One woman was seen briefly getting to her feet before collapsing again. The fire has claimed at least 21 lives, while over 40 people were injured, many of them foreign nationals.

Read more here.

Reacting to the deadly Malviya Nagar fire, BJP leader Manoj Tiwari termed it a "very unfortunate incident" and said authorities received information about a "massive fire in a restaurant at a hotel". Referring to the reported death toll of 21, he said, "This is a matter of investigation," adding that efforts are being made to "continuously improve all the faults" and prevent such tragedies.

-ANI

Delhi Minister Ashish Sood said the building owner responsible for negligence in the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy will be arrested. He asserted that authorities would take strict action against those found guilty and warned that no illegal building would be spared as the government intensifies its crackdown following the deadly incident.

-ANI

Preliminary findings in the Malviya Nagar fire case indicate that the B&B where the blaze reportedly originated did not possess a mandatory Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). During discussions with the Delhi Government’s Home Minister, Fire Department officials stated that the building was required to have a valid Fire NOC but had not obtained one, raising serious questions about compliance with safety regulations.

-Shushant Mehra input

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy. Calling the incident “deeply tragic,” he conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. Gandhi also urged Congress workers to extend every possible assistance in ongoing relief and rescue operations.

Disturbing visuals from the Malviya Nagar hotel fire showed people climbing down ladders and jumping from the building to escape the blaze. Of the 21 people killed, the majority are foreign nationals, who also make up most of the critically injured. Delhi Police are registering an FIR against the hotel owner and conducting raids to arrest him. Investigators are examining fire safety measures, including the Fire NOC, and plan to invoke culpable homicide charges.

-Arvind Ojha input

Reacting to the Delhi Malviya Nagar fire incident, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal expressed condolences to the bereaved families, calling it a “very difficult time” for them. He said the government would investigate the causes of the incident and identify the factors that led to the accident. Khandelwal added that anyone found responsible would be “punished strictly in accordance with the law.” He also appealed to people not to politicise the tragedy, saying such matters “should not be used for political purposes.”

-PTI

Delhi Minister Ashish Sood has reached Malviya Nagar to take stock of the B&B fire incident.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed deep anguish over the tragic fire incident in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to families who lost their loved ones and prayed for strength to help them cope with the tragedy. Singh also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the incident.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra termed the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy “truly heart-wrenching,” expressing sorrow over the loss of lives and injuries to dozens. She offered condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Gandhi also appealed to her Congress colleagues to “extend every possible assistance” to those affected by the devastating incident.

A local resident, Sher Khan, described the chaos during the Malviya Nagar fire, saying it began as "a small fire" before rapidly spreading. As the flames intensified, "there was no way to jump from here," he said. Residents spread mattresses to help those trapped. Khan recalled people, including a woman with a child, jumping from the third floor. "The public made a lot of effort," he added, as the situation worsened.

-ANI

Expressing grief over the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy, the Delhi government said it was "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives" and extended condolences to bereaved families. It noted that emergency agencies launched swift rescue and relief operations, helping evacuate several people. The government said it is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to providing "every possible support" to affected families.

"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and for strength & courage to all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. Immediately upon receiving information about the incident, teams of Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, CATS Ambulance Services and other emergency response agencies were mobilised and launched rescue and relief operations. Their swift response helped in rescuing & evacuating several persons from the affected premises," the CM wrote on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy, calling the “loss of lives due to a fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi” tragic. He conveyed condolences to bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Modi said authorities are providing “all possible assistance” to those affected. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

A total of 37 people have been rescued from the fire incident at a residential site in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar where 20 people have been reported killed. The injured have been taken to AIIMS trauma centre, Max Saket and Pandit MM Malviya Hospital.

-Arvind Ojha input