Malviya Nagar fire: Search on for hotel owner; Delhi Police conduct raids

New Delhi: After fire broke out at a multi-storied Lemon Green Restaurant in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar in which 21 people lost their lives, the Delhi Police on Wednesday formed several teams to apprehend the hotel owner.

Officials said that police teams are conducting coordinated raids at various locations across the national capital in an effort to trace and arrest the suspect.

According to sources, the hotel owner has been identified as one Lokesh Bajaj.

Earlier, Delhi Police registered a case under the culpable homicide section and other relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) in the Malviya Nagar fire incident.

Sources also said that three partners are involved in the hotel’s operations, and they also own several other hotels and guest houses across the city.

The police and other investigative agencies are examining aspects related to the hotel’s ownership, operations, and safety standards.

Meanwhile, police have confirmed that out of the 21 people killed in the blaze, 17 were foreign nationals.

Most of the deceased are from Liberia , Nigeria, Mozambique and Bangladesh, officials said.

Earlier, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) (South Delhi) Jitender Kumar had confirmed that 21 people have lost their lives in the tragedy on Wednesday morning.

He also said that of the 47 rescued, 26 people are currently undergoing treatment.

Speaking to IANS, SDM Kumar said, “Our search and rescue operation was completed at 12:12 p.m. A total of 47 people were rescued, of which 21 have died, and 26 are undergoing treatment.”

According to the information shared by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, the hospital has received 13 patients.

It mentioned that three of the patients suffered injuries after falling from a height. They had reportedly jumped to save themselves.

The AIIMS Delhi Trauma Centre also said that 10 of the patients are rescuers, all of whom are Delhi Police personnel — five Head Constables and five Constables. They were the first to enter the building.

The hospital also said that three bodies have been shifted to the Burns and Plastic Surgery Department.

Senior officials from Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services and rescue services are present at the spot and monitoring the situation.

IANS