Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Delhi Court Rejects Hotel Owner’s Medical Bail Plea
A hotel owner asked a court to let him leave jail temporarily because he was ill.
The court said he was already getting specialised treatment at a government hospital.
Doctors found that he had an intestinal blockage and performed surgery.
The judge said no medical report showed that he needed to leave custody or move to a private hospital.
The court still ordered officials to continue his medicines, tests, recovery care and follow-up treatment.
It also said his family should receive relevant medical records and reasonable access to him.
The case concerns a fire at a five-storey bed-and-breakfast in Delhi.
The fire killed 23 people and seriously injured 24 others.
Police have accused three people of breaking licensing and safety rules, while arguments on the charges are scheduled for September 17.
A Delhi court rejected Lovkesh Bajaj’s request for four weeks of interim bail on medical grounds.
The court said Bajaj was receiving adequate specialised treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital while in custody.
Bajaj was diagnosed with intestinal obstruction and underwent exploratory laparotomy and other surgical procedures.
A June 3 fire at the five-storey Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani killed 23 people and grievously injured 24.
Police charged Bajaj, manager-cum-accountant Jay Mishra and cook Keshav Negi over alleged licensing and fire-safety violations.
- Who
- Hotel owner Lovkesh Bajaj, manager-cum-accountant Jay Mishra and cook Keshav Negi are accused in the fire case.
- What
- A Delhi court rejected Bajaj’s four-week interim bail plea on medical grounds but ordered continued medical care in custody.
- When
- The fire occurred on June 3; the bail order was dated September 3, and arguments on the charges were listed for September 17.
- Where
- The fire occurred at the five-storey Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani, Delhi. Bajaj was receiving treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
- Why
- The court found that Bajaj’s medical needs were being adequately addressed and that no medical advice required his release or transfer to a private facility.
Court and Prosecution Position
Accused’s Position
Need for temporary release
Court and Prosecution Position
The court said Bajaj’s treatment and recovery did not require release from custody, so four weeks of interim bail was neither medically indicated nor necessary.
Accused’s Position
Bajaj sought four weeks of interim bail, citing serious abdominal complications and doctors’ advice for surgical intervention.
Place of treatment
Court and Prosecution Position
The court found no medical advice requiring treatment outside Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital or transfer to a private facility.
Accused’s Position
Bajaj’s plea argued that his medical condition and need for surgery justified temporary release.
Fire-safety allegations
Court and Prosecution Position
Police allege that the 26-room property operated under rules allowing only six rooms, lacked a fire exit and had one entry-and-exit point that worsened the fire’s spread.
Accused’s Position
The articles report these allegations but do not provide a detailed response from Bajaj, Jay Mishra or Keshav Negi.
- Deaths
- 23 people were killed in the fire.
- Injuries
- 24 people suffered grievous injuries.
- Medical diagnosis
- Bajaj was diagnosed with intestinal obstruction.
- Medical procedure
- He underwent exploratory laparotomy and other required surgical procedures.
- Court decision
- Interim bail on medical grounds was denied.
- Property size
- Police said the establishment had 26 rooms, while bed-and-breakfast rules permitted only six.
- Alleged fire circumstances
- Police alleged that an oil fryer was left switched on in the kitchen while tea was being prepared.
