Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia payments for victims of a deadly fire in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday [1], [2].
The tragedy highlights critical safety lapses in urban commercial buildings, as the blaze occurred in a facility that lacked a required No-Objection Certificate [3], [4].
Authorities said 21 people died in the fire [5]. Emergency responders managed to rescue 47 people from the hotel and restaurant building [6]. Dense smoke trapped occupants inside the structure, complicating rescue efforts as the fire spread [3], [4].
Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences to the families of those who died [1], [5]. As part of the relief effort, the government announced a payment of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased person [1], [7]. Additionally, the Prime Minister said that each injured person would receive ₹50,000 [1], [7].
The fire broke out on June 3, 2026 [2], [7]. Local authorities are now investigating the specific cause of the ignition and the failure of fire safety protocols at the site [3], [4].
Rahul Gandhi also joined the Prime Minister in leading condolences for the victims and their families [5]. The disaster has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building codes in the capital's commercial districts to prevent similar casualties in the future.
“21 people died in the fire”
The lack of a No-Objection Certificate indicates a systemic failure in regulatory oversight and building compliance in Delhi. By providing immediate ex-gratia payments, the federal government is addressing the immediate humanitarian crisis, but the incident likely triggers a wider crackdown on unlicensed commercial properties to mitigate public safety risks.
