Hauz Rani B&B Fire Chargesheet Cites Illegal Floors, Lack of NOC in 23 Deaths

Three months after a catastrophic fire killed 23 people, including 14 foreign nationals, at the Flourish Stay B&B in south Delhi's Hauz Rani, police investigation details have revealed extensive safety violations and illegal structural expansion at the guest house.

According to the Delhi Police chargesheet, the establishment held a municipal licence to operate just six rooms but was running at least 25 rooms spread across four floors, a basement, and an improvised rooftop facility. Investigators found that the building lacked a mandatory fire safety No Objection Certificate (NOC) and had no designated emergency fire exit.

The chargesheet states that the blaze broke out on the morning of June 3 in the ground-floor kitchen, where an oil fryer was allegedly left unattended. Dense smoke quickly rose through the central staircase, cutting off escape routes and trapping guests on the upper floors. The first distress call reached authorities at 8.48am, and firefighters arrived at the scene seven minutes later despite navigating narrow and congested neighbourhood lanes.

Between 9am and 11.30am, emergency responders managed to rescue 48 occupants from the burning building. The fire was brought under control by noon, but 23 people lost their lives due to smoke inhalation and burns. Local shopkeepers also assisted during the crisis; mattress shop owner Arman Mansuri and his father Riyazuddin piled mattresses below the windows so escaping guests could jump.

Police have named three individuals as accused in the chargesheet: B&B owner Lovkesh Bajaj, manager-cum-accountant Jay Mishra, and cook Kesar Negi. Investigators alleged that the operators knowingly bypassed fundamental safety requirements to maximise commercial profits from visiting medical tourists.

Following the incident, civic authorities sealed several unauthorised homestays and budget accommodations operating in Hauz Rani. Police barricades around the gutted building were recently removed, though local businesses report that foreign visitors who once frequented nearby hospitals and markets have largely stayed away.