The Delhi High Court has granted four weeks of interim bail to Lovkesh Bajaj, owner of the Malviya Nagar property where a devastating fire claimed 23 lives in June, citing his recent major abdominal surgery and continuing medical needs.
Justice Sachin Datta passed the order after considering the nature of Bajaj’s surgery and the short period since his discharge from hospital. The Court clarified that the temporary relief was being granted solely on medical grounds and that it was not expressing any view on the merits of the criminal case.
The Court observed that the limited release would allow Bajaj sufficient time to recuperate and recover from the surgery.
The fire broke out on June 3 at Flourish Stays B&B in the Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar. Among the 23 people who died were 13 foreign nationals.
Bajaj was arrested after the incident and has since been chargesheeted in connection with the case. The allegations include offences concerning culpable homicide not amounting to murder, mischief by fire and negligent conduct involving fire.
According to the prosecution case, Bajaj’s application for a hotel licence had earlier been rejected because of the absence of a fire exit. It is alleged that instead of addressing the issue and applying again, the premises continued to operate as a bed-and-breakfast establishment.
The medical grounds for seeking temporary release centred on Bajaj’s condition following surgery.
A report from Tihar Jail stated that Bajaj, who is diabetic, underwent an exploratory laparotomy on August 31 after suffering an intestinal obstruction. He subsequently developed an infection at the surgical site.
The infection resulted in his sutures being removed, leaving the wound open. Although he was discharged from hospital on September 15, he continued to require daily dressing and medical monitoring.
Doctors also noted that he needed assistance to prevent the wound from reopening.
Taking these circumstances into account, the High Court ordered his release on interim bail for four weeks to facilitate his recovery. The order does not determine the allegations arising from the June fire, which will continue to be considered independently in the criminal proceedings.
