From ID fraud to fire tragedy: Lavkesh’s past scrutinised

Lavkesh Bajaj, the hotel owner arrested in connection with the Malviya Nagar fire that killed 21 people, had previously been arrested in January 2025 in a case involving fraudulent Indian identity documents, in which he allegedly allowed two Bangladeshi nationals to use his Chhatarpur residential address in exchange for money to obtain Aadhaar cards and Indian passports. He had spent approximately 15 days in Tihar Jail before securing bail in that case. Proceedings remain pending before the court.

Bajaj was produced before the Saket Court on Thursday, following a citywide manhunt that ended in his arrest on Wednesday evening. The court remanded him to police custody for four days to facilitate further investigation into the fire tragedy.

Police have charged him under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, mischief by fire, causing damage to property, endangering life, and negligent conduct involving fire. Investigators told the court they require custody to gather information regarding hotel staff, operational records, and property-related documents.

The prior case against Bajaj was registered on January 29, 2025, as FIR No 145/2025 at Paharganj police station. During that investigation, police found that two Bangladeshi nationals, Sweety Sarkar, also known as Beauty Hawladar, and Johra Khatoon, and her daughter Pushpo Sarkar, also known as Pushpo Hawlader and Puspo Saiyada Akther, along with Pushpo’s minor son, were living in Delhi using fraudulently obtained Indian identity documents, including Aadhaar cards and Indian passports.

When investigators traced the address listed on Sweety Sarkar’s Indian passport, it led them to Bajaj. The address, B-50, 2nd Floor, Gali No 18, Chattarpur Enclave, Delhi, belonged to him. During interrogation, Bajaj admitted that he had knowingly permitted the accused to use his residential address for obtaining Indian identity documents in exchange for money, thereby facilitating their illegal stay in the country. All three, Bajaj, Sweety Sarkar, and Pushpo Sarkar, were arrested, and a chargesheet was filed before the court. A Police Information Report was separately submitted regarding the minor child.

The revelation that Bajaj had a prior criminal record involving fraudulent documents and foreign nationals assumes particular significance given that 12 of the 21 people killed in Wednesday’s fire were foreign nationals, most of them relatives of patients receiving treatment at a nearby private hospital.

In the current fire case, investigators have established a series of serious safety violations at Flourish Stay. The building was licensed for only six rooms under Delhi’s bed-and-breakfast scheme, but was allegedly operating 25 rooms, including those in the basement. Windows in parts of the building were reportedly sealed. Multiple LPG cylinders were stored in the kitchen. Officials believe these violations contributed to the rapid spread of the fire and made evacuation nearly impossible.

Investigation has now expanded beyond Bajaj. Police are searching for accountant Jai Mishra, who has been on the run since the fire. Raids are being conducted across Delhi and the NCR. Sources said Mishra handled accounts, administrative work, and operational affairs for Bajaj’s hospitality business. Documents being examined by investigators reportedly show that some licences linked to the guest house were obtained in Mishra’s name. Police are also examining the role of manager Rakesh and other staff members.

The building, located in Hauz Rani village within a Lal Dora area, had been rebuilt around 2012 to 2013 without a sanctioned building plan or approved layout. It had one entry and exit point and no valid fire safety clearance. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.