Delhi Hotel Fire Case Cook Keshav Negi Arrested Over Alleged Negligence
Police investigating the deadly Delhi hotel fire have arrested cook Keshav Negi, alleging his actions during the emergency contributed to the tragedy that claimed 21 lives and injured several others.
The investigation into the devastating fire at a hotel in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar has taken a significant turn with the arrest of cook Keshav Negi. Police believe his actions during the initial moments of the incident may have played a crucial role in worsening the tragedy.
The fire broke out at Flourish Inn, a five storey hotel where 21 people lost their lives. Among the victims were 11 foreign nationals. Several others were injured as emergency teams rushed to rescue guests trapped inside the building.
According to investigators, the incident reportedly began in the hotel kitchen after an electric stove malfunctioned and exploded. Negi later stated that flames erupted suddenly, creating panic and filling the area with thick smoke. In an attempt to respond to the emergency, he reportedly switched off the main power supply before fleeing the premises to save himself.
Police suspect that cutting the power supply may have unintentionally caused serious complications inside the hotel. Preliminary findings indicate that electronically operated doors became locked after the power was disconnected, preventing several guests from escaping in time.
Investigators revealed that many occupants were unable to leave their rooms as smoke rapidly spread through the building. In one heartbreaking case, a married couple reportedly died inside their room after being unable to open the door and reach safety.
Authorities have already arrested multiple individuals connected to the case, including hotel owner Lovkesh Bajaj. Officials are examining whether negligence, safety violations and inadequate emergency preparedness contributed to the scale of the disaster.
The hotel building reportedly contained 22 rooms spread across five floors, with only a single entry and exit point. Investigators also found that several windows had been permanently sealed, while the main entrance operated through a sensor based electronic system. The ground floor housed a restaurant, while guest rooms were located on the upper floors and basement areas.
Police continue to gather evidence and question hotel staff, management personnel and others associated with the property. Authorities say a detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact sequence of events and establish accountability for one of the city’s deadliest hotel fire incidents in recent years.
