Malviya Nagar Hotel Fire: Delhi Police Files Chargesheet Against Owner, Accountant & Cook
Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against three accused in the Malviya Nagar Flourish Hotel fire that claimed 22 lives
The Delhi Police on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, filed a chargesheet against three accused, including the owner of Flourish Hotel, in connection with the Malviya Nagar hotel fire that claimed 22 lives, including 13 foreign nationals.
The chargesheet was filed before Duty Magistrate Areeba Khan at the Saket Court and has been listed for consideration on September 3.
The three accused named in the chargesheet are hotel owner Lovkesh Bajaj, hotel accountant Jay Mishra and cook Kesar Negi.
According to the police, Mishra was produced before the court from judicial custody, while Bajaj, who is also in judicial custody, is currently hospitalised. Negi is out on bail.
The fire broke out at Flourish Hotel in Malviya Nagar on June 3, resulting in the deaths of 22 people and injuries to several others. Most of the deceased were attendants and relatives of patients undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital who had been staying at the hotel.
Charges under BNS against hotel owner
Police have invoked several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Bajaj, including Section 105 concerning culpable homicide not amounting to murder, Section 326(g) concerning mischief by fire, Section 324(5) relating to mischief causing damage to property, Section 125 concerning acts endangering life or personal safety of others and Section 287 pertaining to negligent conduct with fire.
Mishra surrendered before the court on June 8 and was subsequently taken into judicial custody.
Negi was arrested in connection with the case and was later granted bail by the Saket Court on July 27.
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: Duty Magistrate Areeba Khan