Malviya Nagar hotel fire: Short circuit suspected as 21 die, owner arrested
Synopsis
A short circuit, not an LPG blast, is the leading suspect in the Malviya Nagar hotel fire that killed 21. The deeper scandal: the owner was running 25 rooms on a 6-room BnB licence, fled the scene as guests burned, and operated kitchens with gas cylinders in the basement — exposing a regulatory vacuum in Delhi's hospitality grey market.
Key Takeaways
Preliminary probe points to a short circuit as the likely cause of the Malviya Nagar hotel fire that killed 21 .
No evidence of LPG cylinder explosion despite cylinders being stored in two kitchens, including the basement.
Owner Lavkesh Bajaj arrested; allegedly drove past the burning building without stopping to help.
Bajaj had a 6-room Bed-and-Breakfast licence but was allegedly running around 25 rooms , some in the basement.
17 injured are under treatment, including nationals from Kenya , Cameroon , and Bangladesh .
The property, acquired in 2022 , was reportedly in a dilapidated condition before conversion into a hotel.
A suspected short circuit in the internal wiring system may have triggered the devastating Malviya Nagar hotel fire that killed 21 people in south Delhi, preliminary investigations have indicated, according to Delhi Police sources. The blaze, which engulfed a five-storey hotel-cum-guest house in the congested Hauz Rani area, has triggered scrutiny of safety compliance and licensing violations at the property.
Key findings from the preliminary probe
Investigators said the hotel operated two kitchens — one in the basement and another on the top floor — with LPG cylinders stored at both locations. However, officials have so far found no evidence of any cylinder explosion during the incident.
Police sources noted that fires of such intensity typically spread rapidly when an electrical short circuit develops within a building's wiring. The exact cause remains under investigation, with a detailed forensic examination underway.
Condition of the injured
Speaking to reporters at the spot, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Malviya Nagar, Satish Upadhyay, said the administration's immediate priority was the care of survivors.
‘There are a total of 17 injured people receiving treatment. Our foremost concern is their well-being. Some of them are from countries such as Kenya, Cameroon, and Bangladesh. We must ensure that they receive the best possible medical care. The Chief Minister has personally interacted with all of them. I have been here since yesterday, and I am pleased to say that their condition today is significantly better and more stable than it was yesterday,' Upadhyay said.
Owner arrested, allegedly fled the scene
Fresh details have emerged about the hotel's owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, who was arrested hours after the fire broke out. According to reports, Bajaj admitted during interrogation that he drove past the burning building without stopping to help those trapped inside, and fled the area out of fear.
Police sources said Bajaj acquired the property in 2022 from a previous owner identified as Ahluwalia, and began running it as a hotel-cum-guest house. The structure, which had earlier housed a Khadi store, was reportedly in a dilapidated condition even before its conversion.
Licensing violations under scrutiny
Investigators have found that Bajaj had obtained permission under the Bed-and-Breakfast (BnB) scheme, which permits the operation of only six rooms. He was allegedly running around 25 rooms, including several in the basement — raising serious questions about regulatory compliance and fire safety norms.
The findings are likely to prompt a wider audit of BnB-licensed properties across Delhi, with civic and fire authorities expected to face questions on enforcement. A formal forensic report is awaited.
Point of View
Not commercial hospitality with LPG storage in cellars. That a five-storey establishment in a dense neighbourhood could operate this far outside its licence speaks to enforcement failure, not just owner negligence. Until civic and fire authorities are held to the same standard as the arrested owner, the next Malviya Nagar is only a wiring fault away.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Malviya Nagar hotel fire?
A preliminary investigation by Delhi Police indicates that a short circuit in the building's internal wiring is the likely cause of the fire that killed 21 people. Investigators have ruled out an LPG cylinder explosion, though forensic examination is still underway.
Who is Lavkesh Bajaj and why was he arrested?
Lavkesh Bajaj is the owner of the Malviya Nagar hotel-cum-guest house and was arrested hours after the blaze. He reportedly admitted to police that he drove past the burning building without stopping to help and fled the area out of fear.
What licensing violations have been uncovered?
Bajaj held permission under the Bed-and-Breakfast (BnB) scheme, which allows only six rooms, but was allegedly operating around 25 rooms, including several in the basement. The property also had two kitchens with LPG cylinders, raising serious fire-safety concerns.
How many people were injured and where are they being treated?
17 people are receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the fire, according to BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay. Some of the injured are foreign nationals from Kenya, Cameroon, and Bangladesh, and the Delhi Chief Minister has personally interacted with them.
When did the hotel begin operating at the site?
Bajaj acquired the property in 2022 from a previous owner identified as Ahluwalia and began running it as a hotel-cum-guest house. The building had earlier housed a Khadi store and was reportedly in a dilapidated condition before being converted.
