The investigation into the deadly Goa nightclub fire has entered a very important stage with Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra being deported from Thailand to India for questioning, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The brothers, who operated the nightclub where a fire killed 25 people earlier this month, were detained by Thai authorities in Phuket for overstaying after their Indian passports were suspended. Their deportation followed coordination between Indian and Thai authorities, enabling their return to face legal action.
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Police sources said the Luthra brothers had allegedly left India within hours of the fire that broke out at the nightclub in Arpora, North Goa. The blaze resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, triggering widespread scrutiny of safety norms at nightlife venues across the state.
Focus on safety lapses and licensing violations
Investigators are examining possible breaches of fire safety regulations, licensing conditions and building norms at the club, which operated out of the Romeo Lane property. Multiple agencies are involved in reviewing approvals granted to the establishment and whether mandatory safety requirements were followed.
The Bombay High Court’s Goa bench is also monitoring developments after a civil dispute linked to the Romeo Lane property was converted into a Public Interest Litigation on December 16. During the hearing, the court observed that accountability must be fixed in cases involving large-scale loss of life and sought clarification from the Goa government on the club’s licensing status.
The bench noted allegations that commercial activity continued at the site despite a demolition order and earlier complaints to the local panchayat. Advocate Rohit Bras de Sa, representing the property owners, has been appointed amicus curiae and directed to submit a detailed affidavit on the matter.
Custody, court appearance planned
The brothers are scheduled to land at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi at around 1.45 pm on an IndiGo flight. A Goa Police team, with assistance from Delhi Police, will take them into custody at the airport.
They will be placed under transit remand and taken to Goa for interrogation. Police said the accused are expected to be produced before the Mapusa Magistrate Court on December 17.
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The Goa government has constituted a special legal team from the Law and Prosecution Departments to handle the case.
As they try to figure out who is responsible for the deaths and alleged safety violations at the location, investigators are now gathering documents, technical reports, and witness accounts.
