Hotel Owner Remanded to Custody Following Tragic Delhi Fire

Delhi hotel owner Lovkesh Bajaj is in police custody following a fire at his property that resulted in 21 deaths and 28 injuries. Investigators are probing potential negligence and procedural lapses. The court granted four days of custody to uncover crucial evidence and trace involved individuals.

In a significant development, a Delhi court has remanded Lovkesh Bajaj, the owner of the Flourish Stays Hotel, to four days of police custody. This decision comes in the aftermath of a devastating fire at the Malviya Nagar hotel, which tragically claimed 21 lives and left 28 individuals injured, including foreign nationals.

Following his arrest by the Delhi Police, Bajaj faced charges under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, encompassing culpable homicide not amounting to murder, mischief by fire, and negligence. The fire, which erupted on June 3, has led to intense scrutiny and allegations of negligence in ensuring safety protocols at the establishment.

The court, presided over by Judicial Magistrate Bhanu Pratap Singh, deemed the police custody necessary to explore possible personnel involvement and gather crucial documentary and electronic evidence. Despite the defense's argument against the need for custodial interrogation, the court maintained that further investigation is imperative to unravel the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.