New Delhi, 05 June (H.S.): Shocking revelations have emerged about hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj after a massive fire at the Flourish Stage B&B in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi, on Wednesday morning killed 21 people. Investigation found that the Lavkesh Bajaj arrested in connection with the blaze had previously been detained last year for supplying false Indian documents to Bangladeshi nationals.
Delhi Police sources said that in 2025 the Paharganj police unearthed Bajaj’s role while acting against illegally residing Bangladeshi citizens. The probe showed some Bangladeshi nationals were living in Delhi on forged Aadhaar cards and Indian passports. During the inquiry, police discovered that the address used on those documents was linked to Lavkesh Bajaj.
On 29 January 2025 police received a tip that a Bangladeshi family was residing in the Sangtarashan area of Paharganj on the basis of forged papers. A raid at the house found two women and a minor boy, who could not produce valid identity documents. During the search police recovered two Bangladeshi passports, one Indian passport, multiple Aadhaar cards and banking documents. The probe also found that different identity papers contained the same woman’s photographs under different names, deepening suspicion of fabricated identities to pose as Indian citizens.
Investigators learned that a Bangladeshi woman, Sweety Sarkar alias Beauty Havaldar, had used an address in Chhatarpur Enclave, South Delhi, to obtain an Indian passport. Verification established that the residence belonged to Lavkesh Bajaj. During questioning, Bajaj allegedly admitted he had permitted use of his address in return for payment. Police allege that this assistance enabled the Bangladeshi nationals to obtain Indian identity documents and remain in the country illegally for an extended period.
According to police officials, after the FIR registered at Paharganj police station was investigated, Bajaj was arrested and sent to Tihar Jail. He was granted bail by the court after about 15 days in custody. A charge sheet has been filed and the trial remains pending in court.
Meanwhile, Wednesday’s fire at the Flourish Stage B&B in Malviya Nagar claimed 21 lives. Following the tragedy, South District police arrested hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and obtained court approval for his custody. Investigating agencies are now examining all staff, documents and financial transactions related to the hotel’s operations. Delhi Police are conducting repeated raids in search of the hotel accountant Jai Mishra and manager Rakesh; a team has also been dispatched to Bihar.
Police sources said the South District unit is now probing last year’s fake passport case file to determine whether there were links between the hotel’s operations, documentation and other activities. Investigators are also examining possible connections between the blaze and the earlier criminal cases.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
