Delhi Hotel Fire: Police Hunt Manager Jai Mishra After Owner's Revelations

Delhi Police are searching for hotel manager Jai Mishra in connection with a devastating fire at a hotel in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar that killed 21 people, as investigators continue to examine the establishment's operations and ownership records.

According to police sources, hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj stated during interrogation that he had handed over the hotel's entire management to Mishra and that all related licenses were issued in the manager's name.

Sources said that Bajaj, who has been arrested in the case, allegedly claimed he was the sole owner of the hotel and had no business partners. He told investigators he acquired the building in 2022 and subsequently began operating it as a hotel-cum-guesthouse.

Investigators are verifying Bajaj's assertions that he obtained the necessary permissions to operate a bed-and-breakfast establishment, tourist accommodation, health-related services, and a restaurant on the premises. According to sources, Bajaj also told the police that he was passing by the hotel when the fire broke out on Wednesday morning but did not stop. He allegedly fled out of fear and did not return home, instead moving around various parts of the city before being tracked down by police.

Investigators are also looking into whether the hotel was operating in violation of licensing conditions. Preliminary findings suggest that the establishment had permission for only six rooms, yet it was allegedly operating around 25 rooms. Police are also collecting documents related to three hotels allegedly owned by Bajaj as part of the wider probe into possible violations. Bajaj is likely to be produced before a court on Thursday.