Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Tragedy: Government Orders Immediate Crackdown on Illegal B&Bs After 21 Deaths
In the wake of the devastating fire that tore through a bed-and-breakfast establishment in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood has ordered strict action against accommodation facilities operating in violation of approved building norms and safety regulations.
Taking a firm stance, Sood instructed officials to shut down all non-compliant B&Bs without delay.
He made it clear that owners found breaching prescribed guidelines would not be granted time to submit explanations or respond to notices before enforcement action is taken.
To ensure a comprehensive review, the minister directed the formation of a high-powered inspection panel headed by the South District Magistrate.
The committee will include representatives from the fire services, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), power department, health department and tourism authorities.
Its mandate is to conduct inspections of bed-and-breakfast establishments in Malviya Nagar and other parts of the capital.
According to officials present during the minister’s visit to the site, the committee has been asked to provide a detailed assessment by the end of the day.
The report will outline the total number of B&Bs operating in Delhi, identify those found violating regulations and specify how many have already been sealed as part of the enforcement drive.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has convened an emergency meeting involving cabinet ministers, senior bureaucrats and officials from the concerned departments to review the circumstances surrounding the disaster and evaluate the city’s preparedness and safety measures.
The death toll from the blaze has risen to 21, making it one of the deadliest fire incidents in the capital in recent years.
Police officials have confirmed that several of the victims were foreign nationals.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Chief Minister Gupta said the administration is keeping a close watch on developments and ensuring that all necessary assistance, including medical care and relief support, is being extended to affected families.
She noted that emergency response teams were dispatched immediately after the authorities received information about the fire.
Personnel from the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), CATS Ambulance Service and other rescue agencies worked together to carry out evacuation and relief operations.
Their prompt response helped save and relocate a number of people trapped inside the premises.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu also expressed grief over the tragedy. In a message posted on X, he said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured and stated that police, fire personnel and civil authorities were actively engaged in rescue and relief efforts.
The Lieutenant Governor further directed officials to ensure immediate support for victims and conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident.
The tragedy has also triggered a political debate, with former Chief Ministers and Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi questioning the state of fire safety management under the current administration.
Kejriwal described the recurring fire incidents and resulting loss of innocent lives as deeply alarming, stressing that such tragedies continue to raise serious concerns about public safety in the national capital.
Echoing similar concerns, Atishi questioned who should be held accountable for repeated fire-related disasters and the fatalities that follow.
She alleged that fire safety mechanisms in the city had weakened significantly and criticised what she described as a pattern of official assurances without meaningful accountability.
According to her, continued negligence that places lives at risk cannot be allowed to persist.
