Malviya Nagar fire: 10 Delhi Police personnel injured as toll hits 21
Synopsis
The Malviya Nagar fire that killed 21 has now turned into a culpable homicide case, with 10 Delhi Police personnel — the first to charge into the burning Lemon Green Restaurant — battling injuries at AIIMS. The hotel owner has been named, partners identified, and the spotlight is back on Delhi's recurring fire-safety failures in commercial buildings.
Key Takeaways
10 Delhi Police personnel — 5 Head Constables and 5 Constables — were injured and admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre .
They were reportedly the first to enter the burning Lemon Green Restaurant in Malviya Nagar .
The fire on 3 June claimed 21 lives ; 47 people were rescued, 26 remain under treatment.
A case has been registered under the culpable homicide section of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita .
Hotel owner identified as Lokesh Bajaj , with three partners reportedly operating multiple hotels across Delhi.
MCD Standing Committee Chairperson Satya Sharma visited the site and promised strict action.
Ten Delhi Police personnel who were the first responders to rush into the burning Lemon Green Restaurant building in Malviya Nagar have been admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre with injuries, officials confirmed on 3 June. The blaze at the multi-storied hotel killed 21 people and prompted authorities to register a case under the culpable homicide section of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
Key developments on the ground
Of the ten injured personnel, five are Head Constables and five are Constables, officials said. They were reportedly the first to enter the burning premises during the rescue operation on Wednesday morning and are currently undergoing treatment.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (South Delhi) Jitender Kumar confirmed the casualty figures and the closure of the rescue effort. ‘Our search and rescue operation was completed at 12:12 p.m. A total of 47 people were rescued, out of which 21 have died, and 26 are undergoing treatment,’ Kumar said.
Case registered under BNS
The Delhi Police have invoked the culpable homicide provision and other relevant sections of the BNS in connection with the incident. According to sources, the hotel owner has been identified as Lokesh Bajaj, with three partners reportedly involved in operations. The group is said to own several other hotels and guest houses across the capital.
Investigators are examining the hotel's ownership structure, operational practices, and compliance with fire safety norms — areas that have repeatedly surfaced in scrutiny of similar tragedies in the National Capital.
Political and civic response
Senior officials from Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services and rescue agencies remained at the site monitoring the operation. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Standing Committee Chairperson Satya Sharma visited the location and assured strict action against those found responsible.
What happens next
The investigation is expected to focus on whether the Lemon Green Restaurant complied with mandatory fire safety clearances and building-use norms. Statements from rescued occupants, staff, and the owners are likely to form the core of the probe in the coming days, with forensic teams examining the cause of the fire.
Point of View
Questionable safety compliance, and first responders paying the price for institutional neglect. The fact that ten police personnel were the first inside a burning structure points less to bravery alone and more to the absence of equipped, primary fire-response readiness at scale. Identifying Lokesh Bajaj and his partners is a start, but the harder question is how a multi-storied hotel operated without the safety guardrails that should have prevented 21 deaths in the first place. Until enforcement matches the post-tragedy outrage, Malviya Nagar will be a name on a list, not a turning point.
NationPress
19 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 Malviya Nagar, South Delhi, on the morning of 3 June, killing 21 people. Of the 47 rescued, 26 are undergoing treatment, and 10 Delhi Police personnel who entered the building first were also injured.
How many Delhi Police personnel were injured and where are they being treated?
Ten Delhi Police personnel — five Head Constables and five Constables — were injured during the rescue operation. They are currently being treated at the AIIMS Trauma Centre in New Delhi.
Has a case been registered in the Malviya Nagar fire incident?
Yes, the Delhi Police have registered a case under the culpable homicide section and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Investigators are examining the hotel's ownership, operations, and adherence to safety standards.
Who owns the Lemon Green Restaurant where the fire occurred?
According to sources, the hotel owner has been identified as Lokesh Bajaj. Three partners are reportedly involved in its operations and own several other hotels and guest houses across Delhi.
What did the SDM say about the rescue operation?
SDM (South Delhi) Jitender Kumar confirmed that the search and rescue operation concluded at 12:12 p.m. on 3 June. A total of 47 people were rescued, 21 of whom died, while 26 remain under treatment.
