Delhi Malviya Nagar hotel fire: Cook arrested for negligence, 21 killed
Synopsis
The Malviya Nagar hotel fire that killed 21 people now has a second arrest — the hotel's cook, allegedly whose negligence started the blaze. With the owner already in custody, forensics incomplete, and 15 still hospitalised including 13 foreign nationals, this case is widening fast and putting Delhi's budget-hotel fire-safety regime under a harsh spotlight.
Key Takeaways
Keshav Negi, 65 , cook at Flourish Stay B&B , arrested on Saturday for alleged negligence that allegedly caused the fire.
The blaze in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi killed 21 people and injured several others.
Hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj was sent to four days of police custody on Thursday after a citywide manhunt.
Forensic investigation at the fire site is still not complete , Delhi Police told the court.
15 patients remain hospitalised, including 13 international patients ; 6 are on ventilator support but stable.
Several other individuals have been detained; questioning is ongoing and further arrests are possible.
Delhi Police on Saturday, 7 June 2025, arrested the cook of the Flourish Stay B&B hotel in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, in connection with the devastating fire that claimed 21 lives and left several others injured. Investigators allege the blaze was triggered by the cook's negligence, making him the second person formally arrested in the case.
Key Developments in the Arrest
The arrested cook has been identified as Keshav Negi, 65, son of the late Bakhavar Negi and a resident of Dilshad Garden, Delhi. Police said the investigation pointed to his alleged negligence as the origin of the fire. Several other individuals have also been detained, and questioning is currently underway as the probe continues to expand.
Hotel Owner in Police Custody
On Thursday, a day after the massive blaze at the multi-storeyed hotel, property owner Lavkesh Bajaj was sent to four days of police custody following an extensive manhunt across the national capital. When produced before a Delhi court, Bajaj's lawyer stated that the defence had not received a copy of the First Information Report (FIR); Delhi Police informed the court a copy would be provided.
Investigators told the court they needed custody to gather information about the hotel's full staff, noting that details of only two employees had been made available so far. Police also sought access to the hotel's documents and operational records. The defence argued that Bajaj had been arrested solely on account of ownership and maintained that the grounds for arrest required justification.
Delhi Police further told the court that the fire was so severe that forensic investigations at the site have not yet been completed.
Condition of the Injured
According to a hospital bulletin, 15 patients are currently undergoing treatment, among them 13 international patients. Six patients remain on ventilator support and are reported to be stable and showing signs of improvement. A total of nine patients are admitted across the ICU and general wards, and all are in stable condition.
The hospital also confirmed that two injured international patients, brought to the Emergency Department from another hospital on 3 June, were discharged on the evening of 4 June. 'All admitted patients are recovering, and the hospital continues to provide comprehensive medical care and regular monitoring to ensure the best possible outcomes,' the bulletin stated.
Background and What Comes Next
The fire at Flourish Stay B&B — a multi-storeyed bed-and-breakfast in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar area — is among the deadliest hotel fires in the capital in recent years. The incident has renewed scrutiny over fire-safety compliance at budget and mid-range accommodations in Delhi, many of which reportedly operate without valid fire NOCs.
With forensic work still ongoing and multiple detentions under review, further arrests are possible as investigators piece together the chain of responsibility. The Delhi High Court and civic bodies are expected to face pressure to audit fire-safety standards across the city's hospitality sector in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Not individual. Budget hotels in Delhi routinely operate without valid fire NOCs, and enforcement has been episodic at best. Pinning liability on a cook and an owner addresses the immediate criminal angle; it does not explain why a multi-storeyed establishment was apparently able to operate with the fire vulnerabilities that enabled 21 deaths. The presence of 13 foreign nationals among the injured adds diplomatic weight that will likely accelerate official response — but unless the city conducts a credible audit of fire-safety compliance across its hospitality sector, the next such tragedy is a matter of when, not if.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been arrested in the Malviya Nagar hotel fire case?
Two people have been arrested so far: hotel cook Keshav Negi, 65 , arrested on Saturday for alleged negligence that investigators say caused the fire, and hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj , who was sent to four days of police custody on Thursday. Several others have been detained for questioning.
How many people died in the Malviya Nagar hotel fire?
The fire at Flourish Stay B&B in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, killed 21 people . Several others were injured, and 15 patients remain hospitalised as of the latest hospital bulletin.
What is the current condition of those hospitalised after the fire?
According to the hospital bulletin, 15 patients are under treatment, including 13 international patients . Six are on ventilator support but reported stable; all nine patients in the ICU and general wards are in stable condition. Two international patients were discharged on 4 June .
Why was hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj arrested?
Lavkesh Bajaj was arrested following a citywide manhunt and sent to four days of police custody. Investigators sought custody to obtain full staff details — only two employees had been identified — and to access the hotel's documents and operational records. His defence argued arrest was solely on grounds of ownership.
Is the forensic investigation at the fire site complete?
No. Delhi Police informed the court that the fire was so severe that forensic investigations at the site of Flourish Stay B&B have not yet been completed. The probe is ongoing, and further arrests remain possible.
