New Delhi, June 12 -- The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has terminated the contractual engagement of Assistant Public Health Inspector (APHI) Prince Mann for gross negligence and severe dereliction of duty in connection with the devastating Malviya Nagar fire tragedy that killed 23 individuals, officials said.

The development comes as the death toll from the June 3 fire at the Flourish Inn hotel -- a bed and breakfast establishment -- climbed to 23 after two foreign nationals succumbed to their injuries during treatment.

The terminated official, identified as Prince Mann, had recommended and cleared the health license for the ill-fated premises at Hauz Rani in Malviya Nagar, just a day before the deadly fire broke out.

According...