Delhi’s Malviya Nagar fire:Victim alleges govt charged ₹1.8 lakh to send body to Bangladesh despite promise of free arrangement

A Bangladeshi citizen who survived the Flourish Stay Hotel fire in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar has alleged that money was collected from victims’ families for sending the bodies of the deceased to Bangladesh. Survivor Shamia Chowdhury said authorities had initially assured families that the bodies would be repatriated free of cost, but they were later asked to deposit ₹1.8 lakh at the Bangladeshi embassy. Speaking to ANI, Shamia said, “We were told that the bodies would be sent to Bangladesh free of charge, but that did not happen. We were asked to pay ₹1.8 lakh at the embassy. I want to know why money was taken when we had been promised it would be free.” Also Read | Food delivery takes 10 minutes, but fire tenders 60: Delhi fire exposes cruel irony; does India need more firefighters? ‘I thought I would not survive’ Shamia said she was staying in Room 302 on the third floor of the hotel when the fire broke out. Five people were inside the room at the time. “The fire started around 8 am. At that moment, I felt I would not survive. It seemed like my life was about to end.” She added that police helped recover some of her belongings, although several items are still missing. CM Rekha Gupta honours rescuers Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the Malviya Nagar hotel fire and the Saidulajab building accident in Saket. Citizens, police personnel and rescue workers involved in the operations were honoured during the event. Riyazuddin Mansoori, who helped save lives during the fire, received special recognition. Death toll rises to 23 The fire broke out at the hotel in Malviya Nagar on the morning of 3 June. The death toll has risen to 23. Licensed for 6 rooms, operating 25 The Flourish Stay Hotel had a Bed Breakfast (BB) licence for only six rooms. According to its registration certificate, three rooms were approved on the first floor and three on the second floor. The property was registered under the Silver category. However, police said the building was operating around 25 rooms. Five major reasons behind the tragedy