Sethi Complex, a commercial building in Purohitji Ka Katla near Badi Chaupar in Jaipur's Walled City, houses close to two dozen shops and godowns trading in garments, plastic goods, cosmetics and bangles. As with any commercial complex in the area, it was expected to hold a valid fire NOC from Jaipur Municipal Corporation's fire branch and to keep its fire-fighting equipment, including hydrants, in working order as a condition of continuing to operate.
On 17 September 2026, a fire broke out at Sethi Complex and burned for about 13 hours before being brought under control, gutting close to 25 shops and godowns. No casualties were reported, since the market was closed at the time. A preliminary assessment pointed to a short circuit as the cause. When fire crews arrived, they found a second-floor hydrant non-functional and obstructed by stored items, and had to break through a temporary wall to reach parts of the building because passages were narrow and blocked. Police say the complex did not have a valid fire NOC.
Traders in the complex, some of whom say they have paid substantial taxes and rent for years, lost stock and fittings; losses in two individual shops alone were estimated at roughly ₹2.5 crore and ₹65-70 lakh, with total damage across the complex estimated near ₹25 crore. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot visited the site, where traders told him they had paid lakhs of rupees in taxes over the years without their safety ever being ensured.
The state government suspended two Jaipur Municipal Corporation fire officials, Chief Fire Officer Devendra Meena and Assistant Fire Officer Kuldeep Mantwal, citing negligence. Police registered an FIR against the building's owner, Anand Sethi, citing illegal construction, non-functional fire-safety equipment, absence of a fire NOC and narrow, obstructed access routes. A three-member high-level committee was formed to examine the fire's cause, the building's fire-safety compliance, its rooftop construction and permissions, and whether its fire-fighting systems were actually functional, with a report due within seven days. Autonomous Governance Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra said action would not stop at two officers and that other negligent officials would also be held accountable. The Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission separately took suo motu notice of the fire and directed the Jaipur administration to ensure adequate fire hydrants and water availability across the city. No public report from the high-level committee had been released at the time of writing, even though its seven-day deadline had already passed.
If you own, rent or run a business from a commercial building in one of Jaipur's older markets — or are considering doing so — a long trading history is no proof that the building holds a valid fire NOC or that its fire-fighting equipment actually works. Before signing on to a commercial unit, ask the owner or landlord to show the building's current fire NOC and get its fire-fighting equipment confirmed in writing rather than taking it on trust. If you notice a non-functional hydrant, a blocked fire exit or narrow, obstructed passages in a building you use, you can report it to Jaipur Municipal Corporation's fire branch rather than assuming someone else already has.
If you are buying into, renting or already operating from a commercial building in Jaipur, Haqdar can help you check its fire-NOC and building-approval status before you commit money or stock.