Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra will be taken into custody by the Goa Police immediately upon their arrival in Delhi from Thailand where they were detained, officials said
The brothers were detained in Thailand. Pic/PTI
Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of North Goa’s Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, are expected to arrive in Delhi from Thailand on Tuesday, according to the Goa Police, reported the IANS.
The brothers will be taken into custody by the Goa Police immediately upon their arrival in the national capital.
They were detained by Thai authorities on the basis of an INTERPOL Blue Corner Notice issued at the request of Indian law enforcement agencies. After being produced before a Delhi court, the Goa Police will seek a transit remand to bring them to Goa for further investigation into the deadly fire incident.
Investigation expands to government departments
As part of the ongoing probe, the police are recording statements from officials of the excise department. Statements of individuals associated with the local panchayat body are also being examined.
Investigators stated that several important and concrete pieces of information have emerged during the inquiry. Sources added that the magisterial inquiry committee constituted to investigate the incident has also questioned Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar, the original owner of the land on which the nightclub was built, according to the IANS.
Magisterial inquiry summons over 100 people
The officials said that the committee has summoned more than 100 individuals to participate in the investigation so far, with statements of at least 20 people already recorded.
Delhi Court rejects anticipatory bail pleas
Earlier on Thursday, a Delhi court rejected the anticipatory bail applications filed by Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra after considering the response submitted by the Goa Police.
During the hearing, Goa Police counsel Abhinav Mukherjee argued that the brothers had falsely claimed minimal involvement in the business and had asserted that their foreign travel was pre-planned.
Documents contradict brothers’ claims
The police presented several documents before the court to refute these claims, including an FSSAI application filed by Saurabh Luthra, a Pollution Control Board application, and GST records listing both brothers and Ajay Gupta as partners in the business, as per the IANS.
The prosecution also informed the court that the nightclub’s panchayat licence had expired and was never renewed, and that the establishment was operating without valid permission. A licence agreement was produced to show that the brothers lacked authorisation to run the venue.
Police allege attempt to evade arrest
The prosecution contended that the brothers booked their flight at around 1.15 a.m., shortly after the fire broke out, and departed for Thailand at 5 a.m. on December 7, terming the move an attempt to evade arrest, the news agency reported.
Investigators said the brothers left the country almost immediately after the fire incident, which killed 25 people in the early hours of December 7.
Deadly Blaze had claimed 25 lives
The massive blaze, which swept through the nightclub near the Arpora River backwaters, claimed 25 lives, including four tourists and 14 staff members.
Police officials said the club’s narrow entry and exit points were a major factor that prevented many victims from escaping in time.
The fire broke out in the early hours of December 7 at the club located in the busy Baga area, which attracts large crowds due to its proximity to one of Goa’s most popular beaches.
(with IANS inputs)
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