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New Delhi: Nearly five months before the building in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar was gutted in a massive fire that claimed 21 lives on Wednesday (June 3), the Delhi high court had asked Delhi authorities to urgently address concerns around fire safety regulations in hotels, restaurants and other hospitality establishments across the capital city. However, an investigation into the fire at Flourish Stays B&B revealed that it was operating with multiple violations, including unauthorised construction, inadequate fire-proofing and only one entry-exit stairway.

The B&B was operating in Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar. According to the police, the hotel was licensed to operate as a six-room establishment but had illegally expanded into a 25-room hotel. The Delhi Police has detained the owner, Luv Kesh Bajaj, after reportedly making attempts to evade authorities.

He also operated two other properties in the area which are now under scrutiny for safety and regulatory violations, according to police.

Among the deceased, there were nine African nationals and two from Turkmenistan. Tens others were Indians. The........

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