Delhi Hotel Fire Claims 21 Lives, Owner Lavkesh Bajaj Arrested

A blaze erupted on the morning of June 3, 2026 at the Lemon Green restaurant and bed‑and‑breakfast in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar, killing 21 people – 10 Indians, 9 Africans and 2 Turkmen citizens – and rescuing 37 others while evacuating about 58. Investigations revealed that the premises operated without a fire‑NOC and had illegally expanded from six authorized rooms to about 25.

Delhi police arrested the hotel owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, who told investigators he delegated day‑to‑day management to another person and was not involved in the venue’s operations. He was charged under Indian Penal Code sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 326 (causing death by fire). Authorities have also sealed 18 other properties in the area pending further inspection.