Court Extends Police Custody of Luthra Brothers in Goa Nightclub Fire Case

Court Ruling on Luthra Brothers

A court in Mapusa has decided to extend the police custody of the Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav, until December 26. The brothers are co-owners of the 'Barch by Romeo Lane' nightclub, where a tragic fire on December 6 resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals and left many others injured. The first-class judicial magistrate court in Mapusa made this ruling.

Additionally, Ajay Gupta, the third partner in 'Barch by Romeo Lane', has been placed in judicial custody for 14 days.

Background of the Case

On December 16, the Luthra brothers were brought to Goa from Thailand after being deported. A court in Delhi had granted a 48-hour transit remand to the Goa police following their arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. After their arrest at the airport on December 17, the brothers were presented before the Mapusa first-class judicial magistrate court, which ordered them to be held in police custody for five days.

New Developments in the Investigation

Vishnu Joshi, a lawyer representing the victims' families, informed that new evidence has emerged, with police alleging that the brothers' business licenses and other related documents were forged. The fire at the Arpora nightclub on December 6 claimed 25 lives, prompting the government to initiate criminal proceedings against the club owners for alleged negligence and violations of mandatory safety regulations.

According to Goa police, the nightclub hosted a fireworks event without adequate fire safety measures and other essential safety equipment. They emphasized that the continued police custody of the accused is crucial at this stage of the investigation.