New Delhi: Police have written to IIT Delhi seeking a detailed structural study of the B&B in Hauz Rani where a fire claimed 22 lives on June 3. A senior police officer told TOI that the department is awaiting a response from the institute. If IIT Delhi agrees to conduct the study, experts will examine the building's design, layout, and structural features to prepare a report on how the fire spread so rapidly. Sources indicate that the study is expected to help investigators identify the factors that aided the flames in spreading to multiple sections of the building in a short time. The experts will also assess whether structural deficiencies, design flaws, or unauthorized modifications contributed to the incident.
Key Accused Surrenders
Jay Mishra, a key accused, surrendered on Monday before the Saket court. The 34-year-old was arrested after his surrender and was remanded in police custody. The investigation revealed that the owner, Lovkesh Bajaj, had entrusted the day-to-day management of the B&B to Mishra. Mishra was responsible for handling billing and accounts, supervising staff, and overseeing the overall functioning of the B&B. Investigators have also found several operational licenses and documents of the property issued in his name.
Interrogation and Scene Reconstruction
During interrogation, Mishra will be confronted with co-accused Bajaj to verify their respective roles in the management and operation of the B&B. Investigators are expected to question him about the structural modifications allegedly carried out on the premises, the approvals obtained for such alterations, and decisions related to the operation and maintenance of the establishment. He is also likely to be taken to the hotel for a scene reconstruction exercise, during which he will be asked to explain the building's layout.
Victim's Friend Appeals for Help
In another development related to the fire, a friend of Okele, a Nigerian national who died following the B&B fire, has appealed to the authorities for assistance. Speaking to the media, he said Okele and his friend Ikeazu had traveled from Nigeria to India for treatment. Both had burn injuries, and Okele later died. Ikeazu is currently under treatment. He urged the government to facilitate the repatriation of Okele's body to Nigeria.
Ongoing Investigations
Police are also probing whether there was a 30-minute delay in making the first emergency call and whether an oil fryer was left on unintentionally. The findings from the IIT Delhi study are expected to play a crucial role in determining the exact cause of the rapid fire spread and any lapses in safety measures.
