Nearly three months after a devastating fire at a bed and breakfast facility in South Delhi's Hauz Rani claimed 23 lives, Delhi Police has filed a detailed charge sheet in the case. The document, running into around 1,500 pages, names the owner of the property along with other people allegedly responsible for serious safety and operational violations. The case relates to the deadly blaze that broke out at Flourish Stay B&B on June 3. The incident became one of the most serious fire tragedies reported in Delhi in recent years, with several victims reportedly staying at the property for medical treatment.
Delhi Police Files Detailed Charge Sheet
Investigators submitted the charge sheet before a court on Tuesday, nearly three months after the incident. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal confirmed that the charge sheet had been filed, although he did not disclose further details. According to an investigating officer familiar with the case, the prosecution has named B&B owner Lovkesh Bajaj, manager and accountant Jay Mishra, and cook Keshav Negi as accused. The police case is based on allegations of negligence, dangerous practices and violations that allegedly contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
Charges Include Culpable Homicide and Fire-Related Negligence
The accused have been booked under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These include Section 105, relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with provisions concerning damage caused through fire or combustible substances. Other sections cited by investigators deal with actions that endanger people's lives or personal safety and negligent conduct involving fire or combustible material. The charges indicate that investigators are examining whether the alleged violations and negligence went beyond a routine safety lapse and contributed directly to the deaths.
130 Witness Statements Included
The charge sheet reportedly contains statements from around 130 witnesses, along with supporting documents collected during the investigation. However, the investigation has not yet been completely closed. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report is still awaited, according to the investigating officer. The police are expected to submit the forensic findings separately once the report becomes available. The forensic report could be important in establishing how the fire spread, the exact circumstances surrounding the blaze and other technical aspects of the incident.
How Did the Hauz Rani Fire Start?
The fire broke out at around 8:30 am on June 3 on the ground floor of the property. Investigators have alleged that a restaurant was operating from the premises even though the establishment had permission to run only a tea-and-snacks outlet. The difference between the permitted use of the premises and its actual operation has emerged as an important part of the investigation. The presence of a functioning restaurant on the ground floor may have affected the circumstances in which the fire started and spread, making the alleged regulatory violations a key focus of the police probe.
B&B Was Operating More Rooms Than Permitted
Another major issue highlighted by investigators concerns the number of rooms being operated at the property. The B&B reportedly had approval for only six rooms. However, police alleged that as many as 31 rooms were being operated across multiple levels of the building, including four floors, a basement and the rooftop. Investigators also found that the building did not have a proper fire exit, according to the details cited in the case. These alleged violations have raised serious questions about fire safety and whether people staying inside the building had adequate means of escape during an emergency.
23 People Lost Their Lives
The fire resulted in the deaths of 23 people, including foreign nationals. Many of the victims were reportedly in Delhi for medical treatment. The large number of casualties has brought renewed attention to fire-safety compliance in accommodation facilities, particularly establishments operating in densely populated areas. For people staying in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, emergency exits, fire alarms, evacuation routes and other safety arrangements can become critical during a fire. The alleged absence of an adequate fire exit at the property is therefore a significant aspect of the case.
What Happens Next in the Delhi Fire Case?
With the charge sheet now before the court, the legal proceedings are expected to move forward. The prosecution will rely on witness statements, documentary evidence, and other material gathered during the investigation. The pending FSL report could provide additional technical evidence related to the fire. Once submitted, it may become part of the further proceedings in the case. The tragedy has also raised broader questions about compliance with building, hospitality and fire-safety regulations. The case will now be closely watched as the court examines the evidence and determines the responsibility of those accused. The filing of the 1,500-page charge sheet marks a significant step in the investigation into the deaths of 23 people, while the awaited forensic findings could provide further clarity on the circumstances surrounding the deadly Hauz Rani fire.
