Mayor orders probe, seeks report in 3 days

New Delhi: Mayor Pravesh Wahi on Wednesday ordered a high-level probe into the Malviya Nagar hotel fire and sought a report within three days. The inquiry will cover possible violations of building and fire safety norms as well as any lapses by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials, Wahi said.Expressing grief over the loss of lives, he conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.The mayor described the fire as a “serious and concerning” incident that raises questions about public safety measures and compliance with fire safety norms in buildings. “The safety of citizens is our highest priority and a fair and comprehensive investigation into the causes of the incident will be conducted,” he emphasised.Wahi said he had written to the MCD commissioner, directing a detailed inquiry to ascertain whether the establishment violated any building bylaws, fire safety regulations or other statutory provisions. The investigation will also examine whether there was any negligence, dereliction of duty or failure to enforce rules on the part of MCD employees and identify those responsible.The mayor directed that strict action be initiated if any officer or employee is found guilty of administrative negligence or misconduct. The report will also include the actions taken. The inquiry should be conducted on a priority basis and completed in a time-bound manner, Wahi directed.Officials will also review compliance with fire safety norms and building standards across commercial establishments, restaurants and public-use buildings in the city to prevent recurrence of such incidents.The mayor appealed to residents to report any violation of safety norms so that timely action can be taken.