Police arrest Saket resident Lovkesh Bajaj after fatal Malviya Nagar hotel fire
The Delhi Police arrested Saket resident Lovkesh Bajaj, the co-owner of Hotel Flourish Stays in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi, following a devastating fire on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, that claimed the lives of 21 people. Investigators revealed that Bajaj allegedly bypassed local regulations by obtaining the hospitality license in his accountant's name and illegally expanding the property.
According to police sources, Bajaj purchased the building in 2022 from a person who had been running a garment business on the premises. At the time of purchase, the property was a three-storey building. Bajaj converted the property into a Bed and Breakfast (B&B) establishment to cater to the high demand from foreign medical tourists and patients visiting Max Hospital, which is located directly across from the hotel.
Under the Delhi government's B&B scheme, which was originally introduced during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, such facilities must be owned by a private homeowner. To circumvent this rule, Bajaj allegedly applied for the license using the name of his accountant, Jay Mishra, who also manages his other properties. In the application documents, Bajaj falsely projected that the property belonged to Mishra and that Mishra resided there.
The B&B registry for South Delhi lists Flourish Stays at number 88 among 133 registered facilities. The establishment was registered under Jay Mishra's name as a silver category property with registration valid until May 2, 2027.
After securing the license, Bajaj allegedly expanded the building illegally. The property grew from its permitted six rooms to 26 rooms spread across six levels, including a ground floor and five additional floors.
The Delhi Police are currently searching for the accountant, Jay Mishra. Officers conducted raids at his residence in Raipur Khurd, North Delhi, but found him missing.
Bajaj is scheduled to be produced before a court on Thursday afternoon, June 4, 2026. Police intend to seek his custody to recover property documents and investigate how the massive regulatory violations and illegal construction went unnoticed by local civic agencies.
