Lavkesh Bajaj, the owner of the Malviya Nagar bed-and-breakfast establishment where a devastating fire claimed 21 lives earlier this week, had previously been arrested in a case involving the alleged procurement of forged Indian identity documents for Bangladeshi nationals, according to police records.
The earlier case dates back to January 2025, when Delhi Police received information about a Bangladeshi family allegedly residing in the Paharganj area using fake Indian documents. Acting on the tip-off, investigators conducted a raid and detained two women and a minor child. During the operation, police recovered Bangladeshi and Indian passports, Aadhaar cards and banking-related documents. Investigators found that multiple identity documents carried different names and addresses but appeared to feature the same individual.
The investigation led police to an address in Chattarpur Enclave that was listed on one of the Indian passports. Verification of the address allegedly linked it to Bajaj, a resident of South Delhi. According to police, Bajaj admitted during questioning that he had allowed the address to be used for obtaining Indian identity documents in return for money. Police subsequently arrested Bajaj along with the two women and later filed a chargesheet in the case. He spent around two weeks in judicial custody before securing bail. The matter remains pending before a court.
Bajaj is once again facing scrutiny following the fire at Flourish Stay, a bed-and-breakfast facility in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar. The blaze, one of Delhi’s deadliest hotel fires in recent years, killed 21 people, including several foreign nationals. He was arrested shortly after the incident and has been placed in police custody as investigators examine possible violations linked to the operation of the establishment.
According to investigators, Bajaj allegedly told police during questioning that he drove past the burning building after the fire broke out but did not stop, fearing the consequences of the incident. Police are also examining whether he attempted to evade investigators in the immediate aftermath. Authorities had reportedly initiated the process for a lookout circular against Bajaj and his wife amid concerns that they could leave the country.
The fire has also raised serious questions about safety compliance at the property. Preliminary findings indicate that the establishment was operating without a valid fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). Documents reviewed by investigators reportedly show that the property had permission to operate only six rooms under the bed-and-breakfast category. However, officials found that as many as 25 rooms were functioning at the premises, including some located in the basement.
Investigators have further pointed to structural and safety deficiencies that may have worsened the tragedy. The building allegedly had only one entry and exit point, restricting evacuation during the emergency. Officials also found that several windows were sealed and that the main entrance was operated through a sensor-based system, factors that may have hampered rescue efforts.
Police and civic authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, examining whether regulatory violations, safety lapses and unauthorised expansion of the facility contributed to the scale of the disaster.