Posh Saket house, multiple properties, frequent flyer: How Lovkesh Bajaj's venture spawned B&B boom in Hauz Rani

NEW DELHI: Until Wednesday morning, Lovkesh Bajaj was a familiar face in Saket's D-Block, a neighbour seen on morning walks, a property owner with multiple buildings in the area, and someone local residents greeted in passing. Less than 48 hours later, he finds himself at the centre of a probe into the Hauz Rani B&B fire that claimed 21 lives.

As the investigation is underway in the B&B fire case, questions are being raised about Bajaj's movements on the day of the tragedy.

One local resident, Wasim Khan, claimed he called Bajaj at 8.52 am on Wednesday after noticing the fire. Khan showed TOI call records indicating a 26-second conversation with the B&B owner. "I told him there was a fire. He said he knew about it. I also told him that no one would survive," Khan said.

Khan also claimed that Bajaj reached the spot within 10 minutes of the call. He said he remembers seeing Bajaj at the scene while the rescue operation was on "He was wearing a white T-shirt and was standing there," Khan said. Arman, another resident, said Bajaj usually visited the B&B every day, either in the morning or evening.

Investigators are now examining Bajaj's call detail records and other evidence to ascertain his movements after the blaze broke out. Sources said he did pass through the area during the day. Police said his location first popped up as Gurgaon. After that, he seems to have switched off his phone. He kept driving around Delhi trying to get a lawyer. His wife was with him. The police are also analysing his car's fast-tag data which has confirmed his presence in south Delhi on Wednesday evening.

Back in Saket, neighbours describe Bajaj as a long-time resident. His four-storey house, rebuilt around five years ago, stands along a tree-lined lane overlooking a park. , Bajaj's house stood out among the surrounding houses. Bajaj and his wife lived on the upper ground floor. The remaining flats they had rented out. "The couple kept to themselves, but everyone knew them," said an employee working at a nearby residence. Bajaj and his wife lived on one floor, while other units were rented out.

Residents said Bajaj and owned several properties in the area. Many in the locality said they were struggling to reconcile the man they knew as a courteous neighbour with the B&B tragedy.