Delhi hotel fire probe: Accountant says his documents used for B&B licence

Police investigating the fire at a bed-and-breakfast establishment in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar have uncovered fresh details and are examining possible irregularities related to licensing, operations and fire safety compliance, sources said.

The findings emerged during the interrogation of hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and accountant Jai Mishra, who were arrested in connection with the June 3 fire at the Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani that claimed 21 lives.

During questioning, Mishra told investigators that he had submitted his personal documents for obtaining the bed-and-breakfast licence at Bajaj’s request, while the application process itself was handled by the hotel owner.

The statement has led investigators to examine how the licence was obtained in the name of an employee despite Bajaj allegedly being the owner of both the building and the establishment.

Police are also investigating whether there was any irregularity or possible collusion in the licence approval process, sources said on Tuesday.

According to investigators, the statements given by Bajaj and Mishra were largely similar. Police are now cross-checking their accounts with documentary and technical evidence collected during the investigation.

Investigators found that Mishra had worked as Bajaj’s accountant for nearly a decade and was regarded as one of his most trusted employees. He was reportedly receiving a monthly salary of around Rs 35,000.

The probe further revealed that Mishra was closely involved in the day-to-day functioning of the hotel. Investigators found that he allegedly supervised both work shifts, managed staff deployment and duty rosters, maintained guest-related records and oversaw administrative operations.

Sources said Mishra was also responsible for monitoring compliance with safety requirements, maintaining licence-related documentation and handling various legal and operational formalities connected with the establishment.

When questioned about guest registers, identity records, licensing papers and other documents, Mishra told investigators that all records had been maintained at the hotel but were completely destroyed in the fire.

Police are seeking independent verification of that claim. Investigators are collecting records from government departments, online portals and associated agencies to reconstruct the hotel’s documentary history and establish accountability.

The investigation has also confirmed that Mishra was present during the fire incident. According to investigators, he reached the hotel at around 9.30 am after learning about the blaze, by which time fire department personnel were already carrying out rescue and firefighting operations.

Sources said he remained at the scene for some time before leaving.

Investigators alleged that he then travelled across different parts of the city using buses and the Metro while following developments through news reports and social media updates.

Police are now trying to determine why he left the spot and are examining his movements and activities during the period he remained away from investigators.

The June 3 fire, one of the deadliest hotel blazes in the national capital in recent years, killed 21 people and injured several others.

The investigation is currently focused on possible negligence, fire safety violations and alleged lapses in the licensing and operation of the establishment.

(With inputs from PTI)