Delhi hotel fire owner arrested as death toll climbs to 21

A fire broke out on June 3 at the five‑storey Flourish Stay B&B in Delhi's Malviya Nagar area, killing 21 people, including several foreign nationals. The blaze, which started in the ground‑floor restaurant, spread rapidly amid poor ventilation and alleged illegal construction.

Hotel owner Lavkesh (also reported as Lovkesh) Bajaj has been arrested and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and multiple fire‑safety violations. Police also launched a search for the hotel manager, citing an FIR that lists sections covering negligent conduct, damage by fire and endangering life. Investigators are examining whether the premises lacked a fire No Objection Certificate, whether electrical faults triggered the fire, and whether structural alterations were performed without proper approvals.