India, June 3 -- The devastating fire at Delhi's Flourish Stay hotel that claimed 21 lives has exposed a pattern of alleged safety violations, unauthorised expansion and regulatory lapses that investigators believe contributed to the scale of the tragedy, media reports said.

Authorities are now examining how a property reportedly permitted to operate only a handful of rooms eventually grew into a 25-room hotel without meeting mandatory safety requirements.

From homestay to full-fledged hotel

The origins of the controversy trace back to the homestay scheme introduced ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

However, as medical tourism expanded in Delhi over the years, many such establishments gradually evolved into commercial hospitality ...