New Delhi: A team of experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is scheduled to revisit the hotel in Malviya Nagar on Thursday to conduct a detailed forensic examination in connection with the devastating fire incident that claimed 21 lives, according to Delhi Police sources.
Sources said that the FSL team was able to inspect only one floor of the hotel on Wednesday and will continue its examination of the remaining sections of the building.
The victims of the fire were reportedly located on the third floor and in the basement of the hotel.
During the inspection, officials from the Fire Department discovered electric stoves and other electrical appliances in several rooms. Preliminary findings suggest that some of the guests who had been residing at the hotel for extended periods were using these appliances to prepare their meals.
According to sources, the majority of the deaths occurred due to asphyxiation caused by smoke inhalation rather than burn injuries.
Investigators have also learnt that building owner Lavkesh Bajaj did not have any partners associated with the hotel business.
Delhi Police has intensified its investigation into the tragedy, with nearly 10 teams currently engaged in the probe and searching for the absconding hotel manager, Jai Mishra.
As part of the ongoing investigation, Delhi Police has written to multiple agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), BSES, and the South District Magistrate.
Police have requested the MCD to conduct a structural survey of the building to assess its condition and identify any violations.
BSES has been asked to provide details related to the hotel’s electricity connection and to carry out an inspection of the existing electrical infrastructure.
A separate letter has been sent to the South District Magistrate seeking a building inspection and scrutiny of documents related to the hotel’s registration and operational permissions.
Meanwhile, post-mortem examinations of the deceased are being conducted at the AIIMS mortuary in Delhi.
A total of 13 bodies have been brought to the facility. Of these, six post-mortems were conducted on Thursday, while the remaining examinations are scheduled to be completed on Friday. The bodies were shifted to AIIMS following the tragic fire that engulfed the hotel in Malviya Nagar.
(IANS)
