India, June 10 -- The 34-year-old accountant of the Hauz Rani bed-and-breakfast (B&B), where a blaze killed 22 people, has told investigators that he was the owner of the establishment only on paper and was operating the business on the directions of his employer, Lovkesh Bajaj, for the past two years, according to at least two senior police officials aware of the case.

The officials cited above said that Jay Mishra, who was arrested on Monday, has told investigators that he applied for the B&B registration for Flourish Stay in May 2024 at Bajaj's behest, presenting himself as the owner in official documentation, but was never a business partner or receiving any share in Bajaj's businesses.

"Mishra claimed he was only working as an acco...