After the fire in a ‘Bed and Breakfast’ (B&B) in Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar, Delhi, Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood inspected the affected area. He ordered to take immediate action against all those guest houses running under the ‘Bed and Breakfast’ scheme across Delhi, which are running illegally or are not following the rules.
The minister visited the spot along with senior officials of Delhi Fire Service, district administration, police and civic agencies to review the rescue operations and take stock of the circumstances. According to the Delhi government, preliminary investigation has revealed serious violations of safety and licensing rules. These include commercial expansion without permission, illegally increasing rooms, obstructing emergency exit routes and misusing permissions granted under the ‘Bed and Breakfast’ policy.
While the place was allowed to run only a limited number of rooms under the scheme, it is alleged that it was being run as a large commercial lodging center in complete violation of the prescribed rules.
Permission was given for 6 rooms
The minister said that permission was given for a ‘bed and breakfast’ establishment with only 6 rooms, but it is alleged that the place was being run on a scale much beyond its sanctioned capacity. It has also come to light that major deficiencies in safety – such as non-compliance with mandatory fire safety certificates and proper commercial power load norms. Despite that, the establishment was reportedly allowed to operate on the basis of an incomplete and partial license acquired in 2024.
If any deficiency is found in the investigation then action will be taken
Taking serious cognizance of these investigation findings, Minister Ashish Sood directed the District Magistrate, Commissioner (MCD), Delhi Fire Service and Electricity Department to conduct immediate and comprehensive physical inspection of all registered and suspected ‘Bed and Breakfast’ establishments. The Minister directed that immediate action should be taken against any place found violating fire safety rules, building regulations or license conditions.
Action will be taken under the policy of ‘zero-tolerance’
This action includes sealing the place, cutting off facilities like electricity and water and initiating legal action against those responsible. The minister said that the government has adopted a policy of ‘zero-tolerance’ against illegal commercial activities which jeopardize the safety of the common people and endanger human life. The hospitality allowed in residential areas will not be used as a shield for unsafe and unauthorized businesses operating in densely populated residential areas.
Negligence or rule violation will not be tolerated
The minister further said that strict accountability will be fixed and any kind of negligence or rule violation affecting the safety of the common people will not be tolerated. The government is fully committed to ensuring that no such tragic incident happens in future. Our first priority is the safety of citizens and we will take strict action against any place found compromising these safety standards.
Lookout circular issued against fire accused
Delhi Police has issued a lookout circular against Malviya Nagar fire incident accused Lavkesh Bajaj and his wife. This means preventing the accused from fleeing abroad. At present Bajaj is absconding and several police teams are searching for him. Police claim that the accused will be caught soon.
What is the whole matter?
Let us tell you that on Wednesday, 21 people, including many foreign nationals, lost their lives in a fire that broke out in an illegally running ‘Bed and Breakfast’ (B&B) in a five-storey building in Malviya Nagar. Many injured people are currently undergoing treatment in different hospitals.
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