What Led to the Arrest of Goa Nightclub Owners After Tragic Fire Incident?

Arrest of Nightclub Owners Following Fire Tragedy

Bangkok: The Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav, who own the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa, have been deported from Thailand and are now en route to Delhi.

Upon their arrival in Delhi, they will be taken into custody by Goa Police.

Their detention was prompted by an INTERPOL Blue Notice requested by Indian authorities.

Following their detention, the brothers are expected to appear in a Delhi court to obtain a transit remand before being transferred to Goa for further investigation related to the nightclub fire incident.

As part of the ongoing investigation, police are gathering statements from officials in the excise department.

Investigators are also reviewing testimonies from local panchayat members, with reports indicating that significant information has surfaced during the inquiry.

The magisterial inquiry committee has also questioned Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar, the original landowner of the nightclub property.

Sources reveal that the committee has summoned over 100 individuals for questioning, with statements from at least 20 people recorded thus far.

On December 11, a Delhi court denied anticipatory bail requests from the Luthra brothers after reviewing the Goa Police's response.

During the court proceedings, Goa Police attorney Abhinav Mukherjee argued that the brothers had downplayed their involvement in the nightclub's operations and claimed their travel was pre-arranged.

However, the police presented various documents to counter these assertions, including an FSSAI application by Saurabh Luthra, a Pollution Control Board application, and GST records listing both brothers and Ajay Gupta as business partners.

The police also informed the court that the nightclub's Panchayat license had expired and was never renewed, indicating that it was operating without proper authorization.

Evidence was provided to show that the brothers did not have the necessary permissions to run the establishment.

The prosecution argued that the brothers booked their flight shortly after the fire erupted, suggesting an attempt to flee from law enforcement.

Investigators noted that the Luthra brothers departed for Thailand almost immediately after the nightclub fire, which tragically resulted in 25 fatalities on December 7.

The devastating fire, which occurred at the club near the Arpora River backwaters, claimed the lives of 25 individuals, including four tourists and 14 staff members.

According to police reports, the club's narrow entry and exit points contributed significantly to the high number of casualties, as many victims were unable to escape the flames in time.

The fire broke out in the early hours of December 7 at the club, located in the popular Baga area, known for attracting large crowds due to its proximity to one of Goa's busiest beaches.