The owner of the illegal Delhi bed-and-breakfast (B&B) where a fire killed 21 people this week had previously been arrested for allegedly helping Bangladeshi nationals obtain Indian identity documents and stay in the country illegally, police said on Friday.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh, Lavkesh Bajaj knowingly allowed a Bangladeshi woman, her daughter and her minor grandson to use his residential address in Chhatarpur Enclave to obtain Indian documents, including Aadhaar cards and passports.
Police said a case of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy was registered against Bajaj in January 2025 after the three were found in possession of fraudulently obtained Indian identity documents.
Investigators alleged that the Bangladeshi nationals were residing illegally in Paharganj and using forged documents. During the probe, it was established that one of them had secured an Indian passport using Bajaj's address, police said.
“Bajaj was taken into custody and interrogated. He was arrested after his role in the cheating and forgery was established. The Bangladeshi woman and her daughter were also arrested,” Singh said, adding that a chargesheet was later filed before a court.
Also read: Delhi fire: Police on hunt to track down absconding 'manager'
The revelation comes days after Bajaj was arrested in connection with the deadly fire that broke out at the B&B on Wednesday, killing 21 people and injuring 21 others.
Investigations into the fire have also uncovered alleged licensing violations. Authorities found that Bajaj did not possess a valid licence to operate a restaurant at the premises. He reportedly held only a licence for a tea-and-snacks outlet, which neither permitted cooking nor seating arrangements.
Officials said even that licence had expired on March 31 this year. Bajaj allegedly applied for its renewal on Wednesday, hours after the fire was reported, but the request was rejected.
According to preliminary findings, the blaze originated in the kitchen of the restaurant operating on the ground floor of the establishment.
Police are continuing their investigation into the fire and possible violations related to the operation of the premises.
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