Malviya Nagar fire: PM Modi announces ₹2 lakh ex-gratia as toll hits 20
Synopsis
A morning fire at Malviya Nagar's Lemon Green Restaurant has killed at least 20 and injured dozens, with some occupants jumping from upper floors to escape. PM Modi announced ₹2 lakh from PMNRF for each deceased's kin and ₹50,000 for the injured, as 37 rescued remain in hospital — several critical — and search operations continue.
Key Takeaways
At least 20 people killed and dozens injured in a fire at the Lemon Green Restaurant in Malviya Nagar, Delhi on 3 June .
PM Modi announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia from PMNRF for each deceased's kin and ₹50,000 for the injured.
37 people have been rescued; some are reportedly in critical condition.
Ten fire tenders were deployed; the blaze was brought under control but damage was extensive.
Some occupants reportedly jumped from the upper floors trying to escape.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed grief over the deadly fire at a multi-storied restaurant in Delhi's Malviya Nagar and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. At least 20 people were killed and dozens injured after a massive blaze tore through the Lemon Green Restaurant on Wednesday morning, officials said.
What happened at Malviya Nagar
The fire broke out at the multi-storied Lemon Green Restaurant in Malviya Nagar on the morning of 3 June, triggering panic across the building's upper floors. Officials said some occupants jumped from the upper floors in a desperate bid to escape, leaving several with severe injuries.
So far, 37 people have been rescued and shifted to a nearby hospital, while search and rescue operations remain underway. Some of the injured are reportedly in critical condition.
PM Modi's response
In a statement issued on X by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Modi said, “The loss of lives due to a fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, is tragic. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected.”
“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” the statement added.
Rescue operations on the ground
Ten fire tenders were dispatched to the scene immediately after the alert, and the blaze was reportedly brought under control, though officials said the damage was extensive. Senior officers from Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services and rescue agencies are at the spot, coordinating the response.
Rescue teams are continuing to comb through the structure to locate people who may still be trapped on different floors. The cause of the fire has not yet been officially confirmed.
What happens next
Authorities are expected to launch a probe into fire safety compliance at the restaurant, including emergency exits and clearances — questions that have surfaced after every major commercial-building fire in the capital in recent years. The death toll could rise given the number of critically injured, officials cautioned.
Point of View
Another round of ex-gratia announcements — the script is depressingly familiar. The capital has seen repeated mass-casualty blazes at restaurants, hotels and coaching centres, each followed by promises of audits that rarely translate into enforcement. The real question is not the compensation, which is necessary, but why a multi-storied eatery in a dense urban pocket reportedly had occupants jumping from upper floors to survive. Until structural fire-safety compliance is treated as a criminal-liability issue rather than a paperwork formality, ex-gratia will keep doing the work that prevention should.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Malviya Nagar fire?
A massive fire broke out at the multi-storied Lemon Green Restaurant in Delhi's Malviya Nagar on the morning of 3 June, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens. Officials said 37 people have been rescued so far, with some in critical condition, while search operations continue.
What ex-gratia has PM Modi announced for the victims?
PM Narendra Modi has announced ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. The announcement was made in a statement issued by the PMO on X.
How many fire tenders were deployed at the site?
Ten fire tenders were dispatched to the scene soon after the alert. Officials said the fire was brought under control, although the damage to the building was extensive.
Are rescue operations still ongoing?
Yes, search and rescue operations are continuing at the site. Teams from Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services and rescue agencies are working to locate people who may still be trapped on different floors of the building.
What caused the fire at Lemon Green Restaurant?
The cause of the fire has not yet been officially confirmed. Authorities are expected to investigate fire-safety compliance at the restaurant as part of the probe.
