Story perspectives

Delhi Hostel Fire Kills 21, Owner Charged, Many Foreign Victims

6/4/2026

Center

Bajaj Absconds Post-Fire

Police have registered a case against hotel co-owner Luvkesh Bajaj, who remains absconding after the fire.
At least 21 people died when a fire engulfed the Flourish Stay bed-and-breakfast in Malviya Nagar, south Delhi.
Eighteen of the dead were foreign nationals from Nigeria, Mozambique, Bangladesh, Somalia, Liberia and Afghanistan.
Teams saved 40 occupants, deployed eight tenders, allocated 200,000 rupees to families, 50,000 to injured.

Left

Micasa Inn Fire

Investigations found Micasa Inn operated roughly 25 rooms, far exceeding the six rooms allowed by building codes.
A fire at Micasa Inn in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar killed at least 21 people, including 18 foreign nationals.
Residents and volunteers hauled mattresses from a shop to cushion people jumping from upper floors.
Delhi authorities pledged Rs1 million compensation per victim’s family and a phased sealing of unsafe structures.

History

Historical Context

The 2003 Station Nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island, claimed 100 lives after overcrowding and ignored fire-code violations. The Rhode Island Department of Safety reported that the venue lacked functional sprinklers, and the fire alarm failed within 30 seconds, violating the 1995 NFPA 101 standard. Similarly, Delhi’s 2024 Micasa Inn blaze exposed illegal expansion to 25 rooms, ignored National Building Code limits, and left 21 victims, including 18 foreign nationals. The tragedy prompted India’s Ministry of Housing to tighten enforcement, allocate Rs1 million per victim, and mandate retrofitting of sprinklers in all budget hotels.

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Bajaj Absconds Post-Fire

Police have registered a case against hotel co-owner Luvkesh Bajaj, who remains absconding after the fire.
At least 21 people died when a fire engulfed the Flourish Stay bed-and-breakfast in Malviya Nagar, south Delhi.
Eighteen of the dead were foreign nationals from Nigeria, Mozambique, Bangladesh, Somalia, Liberia and Afghanistan.
Teams saved 40 occupants, deployed eight tenders, allocated 200,000 rupees to families, 50,000 to injured.

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