Delhi B&B Fire: Charges Filed Against Owner, Manager and Cook Over Blaze That Killed 23
Published on 09/02/2026 at 18:17 | Editorial boerse-global.de
Police in Delhi have filed a 1,500-page chargesheet against the owner, manager and cook of a bed-and-breakfast where a fire killed 23 people, including 14 foreign nationals, earlier this year. The case is a stark reminder for hospitality businesses everywhere that fire safety compliance is not optional — and that operating beyond licensed capacity can turn a routine kitchen accident into a fatal tragedy.
The legal filing names property owner Lovkesh Bajaj, manager Jay Mishra and cook Kesar Negi as the primary accused. It includes testimony from more than 130 witnesses and was submitted following the blaze on June 3 at the Flourish Hotel in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar.
Overcrowded and Under-Licensed
Investigators found significant safety lapses at the property, which was licensed to operate just six rooms but was reportedly running between 24 and 31 guest rooms at the time of the fire.
The building also lacked a required fire safety certificate (NOC) and had no designated fire exit. According to the chargesheet, the fire started from an unattended oil fryer in the kitchen before spreading rapidly through the overcrowded structure.
Charges and Custody Status
The accused face charges of culpable homicide and negligence. Bajaj and Mishra remain in custody, while Negi was granted bail in late July.
A final report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is still pending and will be incorporated into proceedings as the case moves toward trial. The tragedy, which also left around 25 people injured and claimed eight members of one local family, underscores how quickly lapses in basic fire precautions can escalate.
In a separate legal matter in the capital, the Delhi High Court has issued a notice to police regarding an appeal by former councillor Tahir Hussain, who is challenging a life sentence linked to the 2020 riots. A hearing is scheduled for early December.
