Lavkesh Bajaj, co-owner of Hotel Flourish Stays, appeared before the Saket Court in New Delhi on June 10, 2026 [5].
The court appearance marks a critical step in the legal proceedings following a devastating fire at the Malviya Nagar hotel. The incident has sparked intense scrutiny regarding safety standards and building codes in the city's hospitality sector.
Bajaj was remanded to police custody for four days [4]. The court action is part of a broader investigation into the cause of the fire and the level of negligence involved in the hotel's operations. In a separate but related order, the court sent two accused individuals to 12 days of judicial custody [3].
The tragedy has resulted in a significant loss of life. Reports on the total fatalities vary, with some sources stating 21 people died [1] and others indicating at least 22 deaths [2].
Authorities are currently examining the hotel's compliance with fire safety regulations. The legal process includes the detention of other staff members, such as an accountant named Jay Mishra, who was also sent to custody [6]. The court has previously rejected bail pleas for other employees involved in the tragedy, including a cook [7].
Investigators are focusing on whether the lack of emergency exits or faulty electrical wiring contributed to the high death toll. The remand of the hotel's co-owner allows police to conduct further interrogations and gather evidence from the site and hotel records.
“Lavkesh Bajaj, co-owner of Hotel Flourish Stays, appeared before the Saket Court in New Delhi.”
The remand of a high-ranking hotel official indicates that investigators are pursuing a theory of systemic negligence rather than an accidental flare-up. By securing custody of the owner and administrative staff, the prosecution aims to establish a direct link between management's failure to maintain safety protocols and the resulting fatalities. This case could lead to stricter enforcement of fire safety audits for small-to-medium hotels across New Delhi.
