Licence Renewed Hours Before Delhi Hotel Fire That Killed 23: Probe Reveals Multiple Lapses
A magisterial inquiry into the fire at Hotel Flourish Stays in Delhi's Hauz Rani, which killed 23 people on June 3, has uncovered severe lapses by multiple government agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Police, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited, the Tourism Department, and public-health licensing authorities.
According to the 110-page inquiry report, the building's health trade licence was approved on June 2, just one day before the fire, after the application had been pending for nearly five months. The application, submitted on January 14, 2026, described the establishment as a 'Tea and Snacks' outlet, even though a full-fledged restaurant was operating on the ground floor. The inspecting official allegedly failed to report this discrepancy.
The report also notes that the building had been booked twice for unauthorised construction—in 2019 and 2020. Demolition action was scheduled repeatedly, but enforcement largely remained confined to official records. Senior Building Department officials allegedly failed to seal or demolish the unauthorised portions, and some are accused of concealing records. The inquiry suspects collusion between the owner or builder and some Building Department personnel.
Despite MCD stop-work directions issued in November 2019, the Malviya Nagar police failed to act effectively. BSES had been asked to disconnect electricity to unauthorised portions, but the building remained powered and operational.
The inquiry has recommended disciplinary and consequential action against officials found responsible. However, it has not reached a conclusion on the fire's cause, as reports from forensic, fire-service, and electrical experts are still awaited.
