Malviya Nagar Hotel Fire: Delhi Court Takes Cognizance Of Chargesheet Against Owner, Accountant & Cook
Delhi Court took cognizance of the chargesheet against three accused in the Malviya Nagar Flourish Hotel fire that claimed 22 lives
A Delhi Court on Thursday took cognizance of the chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police in the Malviya Nagar hotel fire case, in which 22 people, including 13 foreign nationals, lost their lives.
Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Bhanu Pratap Singh took cognizance of the chargesheet filed on September 1 against three accused, including Flourish Hotel owner Lovkesh Bajaj.
The Court has issued summons to Kesar Negi, who is currently out on bail. Bajaj and Jay Mishra are presently in judicial custody.
The matter has been listed for the appearance of the accused persons on September 17.
Delhi Police had filed the chargesheet on September 1 against Bajaj, Mishra and Negi in connection with the hotel fire tragedy in Malviya Nagar.
Mishra, who has been described as the accountant of Flourish Hotel, was produced from judicial custody. Bajaj is also in judicial custody and is currently hospitalised. Negi was granted bail by the Saket Court on July 27.
Mishra had surrendered before the Court on June 8.
The fire had claimed 22 lives, with the deceased reportedly including people who were attending to, or were relatives of, patients undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.
The police have booked Bajaj under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 326(g) (mischief by fire), Section 324(5) (mischief causing damage to property), Section 125 (endangering life and personal safety of others), and Section 287 (negligent conduct with fire).
The chargesheet follows the Delhi Police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire and the alleged lapses connected with the tragedy.
Chargesheet follows Delhi Police investigation
The chargesheet follows the Delhi Police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire and the alleged lapses that led to the loss of lives. The Saket Court will consider the chargesheet on September 3.
The filing marks the next stage of criminal proceedings against the three accused in connection with the fatal Malviya Nagar hotel fire.
Background of the Case
The investigation into the circumstances leading to the fatal blaze is continuing.
Notably, on June 4, the Court had remanded Bajaj to four days of police custody in connection with the devastating fire at a guest house in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar.
Mishra, alleged to be the accountant of Flourish Stay hotel, had surrendered before the court after reportedly remaining absconding since June 3, the day of the fire. He is among three persons named as accused in the case, alongside Bajaj and hotel cook Keshav Negi. The fire broke out at Flourish Stay in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area, resulting in one of the city's deadliest hotel disasters in recent years. The death toll rose to 22 after a foreign national undergoing treatment succumbed to injuries on Sunday. According to the medical update, nine victims remain admitted at Max Hospital, Saket. Of these, one patient is in the Intensive Care Unit, while the remaining are under observation in the wards. Hospital authorities stated that all admitted patients are clinically stable and showing satisfactory recovery.
An FIR had been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 326(g) (mischief by fire), 324(5) (wrongful damage to property), 125(a) and 125(b) (negligent acts endangering life and causing grievous hurt), and Section 287 relating to negligent conduct with respect to fire. According to officials, at least 58 people were rescued from the building and shifted to nearby hospitals. Twenty-one victims were declared dead. Several of those killed or injured were foreign nationals, including citizens from African countries and Turkmenistan, who were reportedly staying at the hotel while attending to relatives undergoing medical treatment in Delhi.
Preliminary findings have revealed serious violations at the establishment. Authorities informed that the building had approval for only six rooms but was allegedly operating more than 20 rooms. The hotel was also functioning without a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) and reportedly had only a single entry and exit point, raising concerns over safety compliance and emergency evacuation measures.
Bench: JMFC Bhanu Pratap Singh