NEW DELHI, June 6: Delhi Police has arrested the cook of a south Delhi hotel where a devastating fire killed 21 people earlier this week, with investigators alleging that his negligence played a role in triggering the blaze, officials said on Saturday.
Several other individuals connected with the establishment have also been detained and are being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation into the fire at Flourish Stays Bed and Breakfast in Malviya Nagar’s Hauz Rani area, they said.
Preliminary findings indicate that the actions of the cook, identified as Keshav Negi, may have contributed to the outbreak of the fire. Investigators are examining the exact sequence of events and the circumstances that led to the blaze, while questioning hotel staff and other persons associated with the property’s operations.The latest arrest comes as the Delhi Police widens its probe into the tragedy, examining alleged safety violations, unauthorised expansion of rooms and the role of individuals involved in the management and day-to-day functioning of the hotel.
The blaze ripped through the hotel on Wednesday morning, killing 21 people, including a 16-year-old girl and several foreign nationals from Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Iraq, Congo, Mozambique and Liberia.Police had earlier arrested hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and booked him under charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Investigators are probing whether negligence, violations of fire safety norms and unauthorised alterations to the property contributed to the high death toll.
The investigation has found that the hotel was operating 28 rooms despite permission for only six, according to the FIR registered by Malviya Nagar Police.Authorities also found alleged deficiencies in fire safety measures and ventilation at the premises. The basement entrance was locked when rescue teams arrived, forcing firefighters to cut open the door during rescue operations, the FIR stated. (PTI)
