Delhi's Malviya Nagar fire kills 22, investigation intensifies

A fire at the Flourish Inn hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar neighbourhood on June 3 killed 21 people, including 13 foreign nationals. A second foreign victim died during treatment, raising the death toll to 22.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, meeting Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, said the probe will be impartial and transparent. She noted that Keshav Negi, a Uttarakhand resident who worked as a cook at the bed‑and‑breakfast, has been arrested and the police have taken him to the blaze site as investigations continue.

Advocate Bhavishya Shakya filed a suo motu petition in the Delhi High Court seeking a court‑monitored inquiry into possible regulatory and administrative lapses. The plea calls for scrutiny of fire‑safety clearances, occupancy permits and inspections by authorities such as the Delhi Fire Service, the Municipal Corporation and licensing bodies, and urges a city‑wide audit of lodging establishments. It also requests compensation and rehabilitation for victims and their families.