Malviya Nagar hotel owner showed ‘Delhi mai sab chalta hai’ attitude, ‘uncooperative’ during investigation, claim cops

MAlviya Nagar hotel possessor Luvkesh Kumar Bajaj, who is in law custody followers a lifelessly discharge that killed 21 people, showed little remorse and even remarked, “Delhi me sab chalta hai,” police officials said, news agency PTI reported.According to the police, Bajaj was uncooperative during interrogation and told investigators that after the hotel business started generating revenue, he developed an attitude that “everything works in Delhi,” and encouraged him to illegally expand the property from two-and-a-half storeys to five floors.Investigators said their questioning revealed a pattern of greed, regulatory violations, and disregard for safety norms on Bajaj's part, according to PTI.Bajaj was arrested following a deadly blaze at his hotel Flourish Stay B&B killed 21 people and exposed alleged violations of fire safety and building regulations. The blaze erupted early Wednesday at the five-storey guest house in the congested Hauz Rani area of south Delhi. Among the 21 killed, 18 were foreigners from African nations, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and more.Also Read: Why were victims trapped inside after big fire in Delhi? 5 big revelationsAccording to officials, the property was operating far beyond its permitted capacity, running 24 rooms despite having approval for only six. The hotel also did not have a licence for a restaurant that was being run in the basement. It had permission only for a tea-and-snack shop. The structure also did not have a sanctioned building plan or a fire safety no-objection certificate (NOC).Police said rooms were rented for between ₹3,000 and ₹15,000 a day, while additional income came from a ground-floor restaurant, according to PTI.‘Made no efforts to help’An eyewitness named Md Wasim Khan told ANI that he had contacted the owner after the fire erupted and reportedly had a 26 seconds conversation. He alleged that Bajaj came to the scene after being informed about the fire but left without helping those trapped inside."I arrived at the scene at 8.30am. I saw that the situation was extremely dire... I called the owner at 8.52am. I spoke with him for 26 seconds. I informed him that the chances of survival were slim... Yes, the owner did come here. I can't say exactly when or how long he stayed, because I was busy saving lives... He didn't make any effort to save anyone," said Khan.Manager Jai Mishra abscondingWhile Bajaj has been arrested and will be kept under custody for four days, the manager of the hotel Jai Mishra, under whom Bajaj allegedly obtained licences is still absconding.Also Read: ‘No ventilation’ in shaft-like building, chilling escape video: 5 shocking details in Delhi Malviya Nagar fireJoint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range) Vijay Kumar said they have got his four days' police remand. "We will ask him about the staff members who were present there as all of them are absconding," he said. Five police teams are also tracing Mishra.21 dead, over 40 rescuedAt least 21 people died and over 40 were rescued after a fire erupted at the five-storey building housing the B&B in the congested Hauz Rani locality of Malviya Nagar. While initial reports suggested that the fire may have originated from the nearby Lemon Green Restaurant, police later clarified that the blaze started within the hotel building itself.Officials said the building had only one entry-exit point, sealed windows and a sensor-operated main door - a combination that turned the structure into a virtual death trap.Visuals showed people jumping out of the videos to save their lives. Residents and local shopkeepers also joined rescue efforts before emergency services arrived.‘Received temporary licence’According to PTI, citing sources, reported that the building had previously been granted a temporary accommodation licence during the 2010 Commonwealth Games under a different owner, when Delhi was facing a shortage of hotel rooms.During questioning, Bajaj told investigators that he owned at least four hotels in the area and seldom visited them. According to police sources quoted by PTI, he said he had entrusted the day-to-day operations of the establishment to Mishra after acquiring the building in 2022.