Delhi hotel fire: Police arrests cook, probe finds his negligence led to deadly blaze - Moneycontrol.com
According to sources in the police, preliminary findings indicate that the actions of the cook, identified as Keshav Negi, may have contributed to the outbreak
According to sources in the police, preliminary findings indicate that the actions of the cook, identified as Keshav Negi, may have contributed to the outbreak of the fire. On Wednesday morning, a devastating blaze ripped through the hotel in Malviya Nagar's south Delhi area, killing 21 people. Cook arrested for alleged negligence in Delhi hotel fire case 21 killed, including foreign nationals, in Malviya Nagar blaze Hotel owner and others detained; probe finds safety violations Did our AI summary help? The Delhi Police on Saturday arrested the cook of a bed-and-breakfast establishment in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar, where a devastating blaze killed 21 people earlier this week, with investigators alleging that his negligence played a role in triggering the blaze. The latest arrest comes after the Delhi Police arrested the hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and booked him under charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. According to sources in the police, preliminary findings indicate that the actions of the cook, identified as Keshav Negi, may have contributed to the outbreak of the fire. Investigators are examining the exact sequence of events and the circumstances that led to the blaze, while questioning hotel staff and other persons associated with the property's operations to help reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
According to police, several other people involved in the management and the day-to-day functioning of the hotel have also been detained and are being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation that broke out at Flourish Stays Bed and Breakfast in Malviya Nagar's Hauz Rani area. On Wednesday morning, a devastating blaze ripped through the hotel, killing 21 people, including several foreign nationals from Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Iraq, Congo, Mozambique and Liberia, and leaving several others injured. Currently, a total of 15 injured patients are undergoing treatment at Max Hospital in Saket. "All ventilated patients are stable and showing signs of improvement," said a statement issued by the hospital. It added that nine other patients are receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospital wards. The overall condition of all admitted patients remains stable, according to the hospital. What has the probe revealed so far? While preliminary findings indicate that the actions of the cook may have led to the fire outbreak, investigators are also probing whether negligence, violations of fire safety norms and unauthorised alterations to the property contributed to the high death toll.
As per the investigation so far, it has been found that the hotel was operating 28 rooms despite permission for only six. During the investigation, authorities allegedly discovered multiple safety violations and serious deficiencies in the building's fire safety infrastructure. According to sources, the windows and glass panels of the building had been completely sealed, leaving no outlet for smoke to escape. Investigators also found that the entrance to the basement was locked from the inside. Rescue teams reportedly took nearly 10 minutes to gain access to the basement, from where six to seven people were rescued. A preliminary forensic examination has suggested that most victims died due to suffocation rather than burn injuries. Officials also found several fire extinguishers inside the hotel, but they appeared to have remained unused during the emergency. Forensic experts have collected samples of burnt electrical wiring, electronic devices and other materials from the site. Investigators are examining the possibility of a short circuit, electrical overloading and other technical factors that may have contributed to the blaze. Arrests made so far So far, police have arrested hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj, Sweety Sarkar and Pushpo Sarkar in connection with the case.
Following the completion of the investigation, a chargesheet was filed before the court against the accused persons. Bajaj has been sent to four days of police custody. Investigators are now also trying to find the whereabouts of Jay Mishra, a long-time associate and accountant of Bajaj, who has been absconding since the incident. Police sources said Mishra's name has surfaced in several documents linked to the hotel, and investigators are trying to determine whether he had a larger role in managing the establishment. Multiple police teams have been formed to trace Mishra, including one sent to Bihar, where he is originally from. (With inputs from agencies)
The BriefWire