New Delhi, June 7: The spotlight in the devastating Malviya Nagar hotel fire tragedy has now shifted to the hotel’s cook, with Delhi Police alleging that a series of actions taken by him after the fire broke out may have contributed to the scale of the disaster that has now claimed 22 lives.
The death toll rose after a foreign national, who had been undergoing treatment for severe injuries sustained in the blaze, succumbed at a hospital.
As the investigation intensifies, Delhi Police has arrested hotel owner Lovkesh Bajaj and cook Keshav Negi, while another key individual, identified as Jai Mishra, remains absconding.
Did the Fire Begin in the Kitchen?
According to investigators, Keshav Negi told police that the fire erupted shortly after an electric stove was switched on in the kitchen.
Negi claimed that an explosion-like incident occurred in the stove, causing flames to spread rapidly through the building.
However, investigators are examining whether negligence in kitchen operations triggered the blaze and whether crucial decisions taken in the minutes that followed worsened the situation.
Power Shutdown May Have Trapped Guests
One of the most critical aspects under investigation is Negi’s admission that he switched off the building’s main power supply after the fire broke out before fleeing the premises.
Police suspect that the power shutdown may have disabled the electronic door-locking system installed in the building, preventing several guests from escaping.
Investigators believe that some victims may have become trapped inside smoke-filled rooms because electronic access systems stopped functioning during the emergency.
Rescue Delays and Safety Violations Under Scrutiny
The investigation has also revealed serious shortcomings in the building’s emergency preparedness and fire safety infrastructure.
Officials found that ventilation systems were inadequate and emergency evacuation mechanisms were either absent or ineffective.
The basement access route was reportedly blocked, forcing rescue personnel to break through doors before entering the premises. This delay may have slowed rescue efforts during the crucial early stages of the fire.
Police are now questioning additional staff members and examining whether violations of safety norms contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
Arrest Sparks Political Attention
The arrest of Keshav Negi has triggered reactions in Uttarakhand, where several groups have demanded a high-level and impartial investigation into the incident.
Following the controversy, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and sought assurance that innocent individuals would not be unfairly targeted during the investigation.
According to Dhami, the Delhi Chief Minister assured him that the investigation would proceed fairly and that action would be based solely on evidence.
Bulldozers Roll Across Delhi
The Malviya Nagar tragedy has also triggered one of Delhi’s largest enforcement drives against illegal constructions and safety violations.
Authorities have intensified action against buildings operating in violation of construction norms and fire safety regulations.
Official figures show that since June 1, civic authorities have demolished 94 illegal structures and sealed 114 properties across the capital.
Joint teams of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Police have launched extensive inspections, particularly targeting buildings suspected of violating building bylaws and safety norms.
Rekha Gupta Government Adopts Zero-Tolerance Policy
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident and announced a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal construction and regulatory violations.
The Delhi Government has warned that accountability will not stop with building owners. Officials found guilty of negligence or collusion could face disciplinary action, salary cuts and legal proceedings.
Authorities say the Malviya Nagar tragedy has exposed the deadly consequences of illegal construction and safety violations, prompting an unprecedented citywide crackdown aimed at preventing similar disasters in the future.
As investigators continue piecing together the sequence of events, the role of the cook, the building’s safety systems and alleged regulatory lapses remain at the centre of one of Delhi’s deadliest fire investigations in recent years.
