Luv Kesh Bajaj, the owner of Flourish Stay B&B in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi, has been apprehended by police after a devastating fire at his hotel resulted in the deaths of 21 individuals. His arrest occurred late Wednesday, following the issuance of a Lookout Circular (LOC) earlier that day.

At the age of 60, Bajaj operates a network of hotels and guesthouses throughout Delhi. He resides in Saket with his wife, while their two children are based in the United States. Authorities have indicated that he had prior legal troubles, including a case from 2024 where he was charged under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code for failing to comply with safety regulations regarding the installation of CCTV cameras in his hotel.

The B&B, situated in a narrow lane in Hauz Rani, lacks a No Objection Certificate from the Fire Department and features only a single point of entry and exit. The structure comprises six floors and a basement, with the restaurant located on the first floor and the kitchen in the basement, while rooms occupy the upper floors.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern of fire-related disasters in the region. Notable past incidents include:

• In 1997, a fire at Uphaar Cinema in Green Park claimed 59 lives and injured over 100, highlighting serious safety deficiencies, including blocked exits.
• Fourteen individuals lost their lives in 2011 during a tent fire at a religious gathering in Nand Nagri.
• In 2018, 17 fatalities occurred at an illegal firecracker packaging facility in Bawana.
• The following year, 17 guests perished in a hotel fire in Karol Bagh, linked to violations concerning kitchen construction.
• A fire in Anaj Mandi in 2019 resulted in the deaths of 43 sleeping workers, as the building lacked adequate fire safety measures and escape routes.
• In 2022, a four-storey electronic manufacturing unit in Mundka was engulfed in flames, killing 27 individuals due to safety lapses.
• A tragic incident in 2024 at a baby care hospital in Vivek Vihar led to the deaths of seven newborns following an oxygen cylinder explosion.
• That same year, 11 workers were killed in a fire at a paint factory in Alipur.
• In 2025, a fire in a residential duplex in Dwarka claimed three lives, including two children, as victims attempted to escape by jumping from a balcony.
• By March 2026, a fire in Palam resulted in the deaths of nine family members, including three children, exacerbated by obstructive materials and insufficient exits.
• In May 2026, a fire in Vivek Vihar killed nine members from three families, which was traced back to a short circuit and was attributed to inadequate safety measures.

Sakshi Chand, an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express in New Delhi, has over ten years of experience in investigative journalism, focusing on crime, the prison system, and governance issues. She has covered significant events such as the 2G spectrum case and the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. Previously a reporter for The Times of India, Sakshi is also a national-level basketball player and coach, balancing her passion for sports with her journalistic pursuits.

In late 2025, she led major investigations, including the Red Fort blast, where she detailed forensic findings and victim support measures, and highlighted issues of police accountability and governance. Known for her data-driven approach, Sakshi utilizes forensic reports and administrative data to provide in-depth analyses of crime stories and public policy issues.