The Luthra brothers, the main accused in the Goa nightclub fire, have been detained in Thailand, and the process to bring them back to India to face trial has begun. The devastating fire claimed the lives of 25 people. Media reports, citing sources, provided this information on Thursday.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is considering revoking the passports of Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra at the request of the Goa government. The two are co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa. They left India on December 6, immediately after the fire. Interpol has issued a Blue Corner notice in the case at the request of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Goa Police investigation revealed that the Luthra brothers booked their flight tickets to Thailand around the time of the fire. According to officials, Gaurav and Saurabh booked the tickets through MakeMyTrip at 1:17 AM on December 7, while fire and police teams were engaged in extinguishing the fire and rescuing those trapped inside. An official said, "While the Goa Police and fire department were battling the fire and rescuing people trapped inside, the Luthra brothers were preparing to leave the country."
A Delhi court on Wednesday denied interim protection to the Luthra brothers. Their lawyers claimed that the Luthras had not fled the country but were on a business trip and that they were not the owners of the nightclub but merely the license holders. They argued that the day-to-day operations of the club were handled by the staff, thus absolving the Luthra brothers of direct responsibility.
Meanwhile, the Goa Police have arrested five managers and staff members in connection with the fire. The fire broke out at night and quickly engulfed the entire premises. Indian authorities are now coordinating with Thai authorities to expedite the extradition process.
What did Chief Minister Pramod Sawant say?
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the inquiry report into the tragedy would be ready within eight days. The state government has started providing compensation to the affected families and has tightened security audits at all entertainment venues. The Chief Minister said that the Home Department, Fire Department, and administration have been actively working since immediately after the fire incident. We are trying to save as many lives as possible. Six people who were admitted to the hospital are receiving full treatment at the Goa Medical College. The bodies of the 25 deceased are being handed over to their families. We have informed the Prime Minister's Relief Fund about the accounts of the deceased. Six people have been arrested so far, and those who need to be arrested will be apprehended by the police department.
He said that the government has suspended three people. We have initiated a magisterial inquiry. The inquiry report will be submitted within eight days. Strict action will be taken against them thereafter. We have constituted an audit committee under the Revenue Secretary to conduct audits. They will audit various types of clubs here.
Ajay Gupta was handed over to the Goa Police on transit remand.
Meanwhile, in the nightclub fire case, the Saket Court has handed over Ajay Gupta, the co-owner of the nightclub, to the Goa Police on a 36-hour transit remand. Ajay Gupta was detained in Delhi in connection with the investigation into the incident. The Goa Police produced him before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vinod Joshi and sought transit remand. The court granted the 36-hour remand considering the Indigo operational crisis. The judge directed that special care be taken of Ajay Gupta's spinal injury and other medical problems, and that he be given his medicines on time.
A lookout circular had already been issued against Ajay Gupta as the police could not find him at his Delhi residence. A senior officer said that he was later detained in Delhi, and his arrest will be formally recorded after the formalities are completed.
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