Licence renewal application filed as Hauz Rani hotel fire claimed 21 lives

The devastating blaze at the Flourish Stay property has brought a web of regulatory failures to light, as authorities confirm the owner attempted to renew a commercial permit while the building was still engulfed in flames.

The deadly fire that swept through the Flourish Stay property in Hauz Rani this Wednesday has exposed a cascade of administrative and safety lapses, culminating in the shocking revelation that a licence renewal was being processed while the disaster was unfolding. According to officials, the registered owner, Jay Mishra, submitted an application to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) portal seeking to renew a "tea and snacks" stall permit between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.—even as rescue teams were battling the blaze that had erupted at 8:30 a.m.

A tragedy of unauthorized expansion

The property, which was licensed under the Delhi government’s Bed and Breakfast (B&B) scheme, was permitted to host only six rooms. However, investigators discovered that the building was functioning as a 26-room hotel, far exceeding its authorized capacity. While the B&B policy is intended for homeowners to rent out spare rooms while residing on-site, this facility failed to meet those basic requirements. The building, which never received a sanctioned plan from the MCD, also lacked a mandatory fire safety no-objection certificate, effectively turning the premises into a lethal trap.

Commercial operations under residential guise

The violations extended to the ground floor, where a commercial eatery known as "Snacks and Bites" operated without proper authorization. Though the establishment had previously secured permission for a simple tea-and-snack outlet, it had morphed into a full-fledged restaurant, a clear violation of the B&B scheme’s strict prohibitions against commercial kitchens. The facility, which was popular among foreign visitors seeking medical care, was found to have only a single entry and exit point, severely hampering the evacuation of the 40 guests present when the fire broke out.

Arrests and the path forward

In the wake of the incident, which resulted in 21 fatalities, authorities have taken swift action. Lavkesh Bajaj, the owner of the building, has been arrested as police look into the involvement of other parties, including an accountant whose name was allegedly used to secure the facility's licence. The Delhi government has since announced the withdrawal of its B&B policy, and the MCD has launched a wider crackdown on unauthorized commercial establishments. As the investigation continues, questions regarding why the building was allowed to operate in such blatant disregard of safety norms for so long remain a central focus for authorities.