Delhi Police have arrested Lavkesh Bajaj, owner of the Flourish Stay bed-and-breakfast (B&B) in Malviya Nagar, where a devastating fire claimed 21 lives, including 12 foreign nationals, on Wednesday.According to investigators, Bajaj was initially absconding after the tragedy, prompting an extensive police search. His arrest is being seen as a major breakthrough in the probe into one of the deadliest fire incidents in the national capital in recent years.During interrogation, Bajaj reportedly admitted that he drove past the burning five-storey building “out of fear” in Delhi’s congested Hauz Rani area instead of stopping to assist guests trapped inside.Who is Lavkesh Bajaj?Lavkesh Bajaj is the owner of Flourish Stay, the bed-and-breakfast (B&B) establishment in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar where a devastating fire killed 21 people, including 12 foreign nationals. Arrested by Delhi Police hours after the tragedy, Bajaj is a key figure in the investigation into alleged safety and licensing violations at the property. According to police, Bajaj told investigators that he left the area after the fire broke out and did not participate in rescue efforts. He has claimed that the property’s day-to-day operations were being managed by Jai Mishra, who remains under the scanner. Police are probing whether the establishment violated B&B regulations and fire safety norms.Owner wandered around after incidentPolice said Bajaj did not return home after the fire. Instead, he spent several hours moving around different locations before being detained.Police are now verifying claims made during his questioning. He is expected to be produced before a Delhi court on Thursday afternoon, with police likely to seek a five-day remand for further interrogation.Alleged violations of B&B rulesBajaj told police that he had obtained a licence under Delhi’s Bed-and-Breakfast (B&B) scheme, which permits a maximum of six rooms for guests. However, preliminary investigations suggest that Flourish Stay was operating around 25 rooms, including accommodation in the basement.While Bajaj is the sole owner of the property, he claimed that the day-to-day management had been handed over to Jai Mishra, who allegedly held the operational licences. Police are also searching for Mishra, who remains untraceable.Safety lapsesThe Bed-and-Breakfast scheme, launched under the Incredible India B&B framework in 2007, was intended to promote safe and affordable accommodation in residential neighbourhoods.The guidelines stipulate:A maximum of six double-bed rooms per propertyMandatory residence of the owner on the premisesStrictly residential use of the propertyCompliance with fire safety, ventilation and infrastructure normsInvestigators are examining whether Flourish Stay complied with these requirements.Police said the building had only one entry and exit point, severely hampering evacuation efforts. Windows were reportedly sealed, while the main entrance was sensor-operated, creating additional obstacles during the emergency.Fire killed 21, including 12 foreignersThe fire broke out around 8.30 am in the basement of the B&B before rapidly spreading to upper floors. Most guests were asleep when the blaze erupted.A total of 17 fire tenders were pressed into service to control the fire. At least 58 people were rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals.Officials confirmed that 21 people were declared dead, including 12 foreign nationals.Gurugram family among victimsAmong those killed were eight members of a family from Gurugram.Vivek Agarwal, a chartered accountant from Sector 46, Gurugram, had travelled to Delhi to visit his 80-year-old father, Radhe Shyam Agarwal, who is undergoing treatment at Max Hospital.His wife Tarjani Agarwal, daughters Jivisha and Varya, and four other relatives accompanied him. The family had booked two rooms at Flourish Stay and was having breakfast when the fire broke out.Eight members of the family lost their lives in the tragedy. The sole surviving member of the family is Vivek’s father, who remains admitted to the hospital.Inputs from PTI