New Delhi, A Delhi court has taken cognisance of a chargesheet filed by the police in the Malviya Nagar hotel fire case, where 23 people lost their lives on June 3 this year.
He did not reapply for the licence and instead operated the property under the B&B framework, police alleged. Police also alleged that Mishra, Bajaj’s close associate and the frontman handling the business, submitted a false affidavit and that they were not residing at the premises despite the B&B rules requiring the owner or operator to stay there. Police alleged that Negi initially attempted to douse the flames but fled when they grew beyond his control without alerting the guests, neighbours or emergency services.
Earlier, on September 1, Delhi Police chargesheeted Bajaj, Jay Mishra, the manager-cum-accountant, and Keshav Negi, the cook, in the hotel fire case, alleging that the establishment was being operated in violation of B&B norms, which permitted only six rooms. The nearly 1,500-page chargesheet was filed before the court containing judicial and medical documents and other enclosures. Statements of more than 130 witnesses were recorded during the investigation, police said.
Because the property had only one entry and exit point lacked a fire exit, according to the investigators, bajaj had initially applied for a hotel licence around two years ago, but his application was rejected.
The fire started in the kitchen after Negi allegedly left an oil fryer switched on while preparing tea for himself, according to the investigation.
