Delhi Minister Ashish Sood on Wednesday said strict action will be taken against all those responsible for the deadly fire incident in Malviya Nagar, including the building owner and any officials found negligent.
Addressing the media at the site, Sood said the building had been completely destroyed in the blaze and authorities were now collecting all relevant documents to determine whether it possessed the required No Objection Certificate (NOC), permissions to operate as a hotel and restaurant, and approvals for running Bed and Breakfast (BnB) rooms.
“The owner of this building, and anyone whose negligence led to this tragedy, will be identified through a police investigation and arrested immediately," the minister said, adding that police teams had already been deployed to investigate the matter.
Sood further announced a comprehensive inspection drive in the area under the supervision of the District Magistrate. He said agencies including the Municipal Corporation, Fire Department, Electricity Department and Water Department had been directed to inspect buildings for violations of safety and regulatory norms.
Any building found operating in violation of prescribed rules would be inspected and sealed if irregularities are confirmed, he said.
“No one will be spared," Sood asserted, signalling a wider crackdown on unauthorised commercial establishments and buildings flouting fire safety regulations in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The fire, which broke out at a hotel cum guest house in Malviya Nagar, claimed multiple lives and has raised serious questions about compliance with fire safety and licensing norms in the area. Investigations into the cause of the blaze and possible lapses are underway.
