Delhi's Malviya Nagar fire kills 21, prompts safety probe

A fire broke out at the Flourish Stays Hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar neighbourhood, a ground‑plus‑five‑storey building whose windows were permanently sealed. Chief Fire Officer AK Malik said the design made escape extremely difficult and contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.

Official records show 21 people died and 28 were injured. The owner, Lovkesh Bajaj, was arrested and remanded to four days of police custody, charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide and mischief by fire. Delhi's Lieutenant Governor convened a high‑level meeting, leading to the formation of a high‑powered committee headed by the district magistrate to survey similar buildings for safety compliance.