The two Luthra brothers linked to the Goa nightclub fire that killed 25 people have reportedly been detained in Thailand. People familiar with the case said that the process to bring them back to India for trial has already started.
The Goa government has asked the external affairs ministry (MEA) to cancel the passports of Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra. They are the co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa. The brothers left India soon after the fire on December 6. An Interpol Blue Corner notice has been issued for them at the request of the CBI.
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Investigators found that the brothers booked flight tickets to Thailand even while emergency teams were fighting the blaze. According to officials, they booked their tickets on MakeMyTrip at 1:17 am on December 7.
At that time, firefighters and police were still trying to control the fire and rescue people trapped inside the nightclub in Arpora. As per reports, an official said, “Even as the Goa Police and Goa Fire Services were battling to douse the fire and rescue the people trapped inside, the Luthra brothers were preparing to flee the country.”
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On Wednesday, a New Delhi court refused to give the brothers interim protection from arrest. Their lawyers said that the brothers had not run away but were on a business trip. They also said the two were licensees and not owners of the nightclub. The lawyers argued that the daily operations were handled by the club’s staff, and the brothers were not directly responsible.
Goa Police arrest
Goa Police have already arrested five managers and staff members in connection with the fire. The blaze broke out around midnight and spread quickly through the venue, which is about 25 km from Panaji. Indian authorities are now working with Thai officials to complete the deportation process.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the inquiry report will be ready in eight days. The state has also started giving compensation to the victims’ families and is tightening safety checks across entertainment venues.
