The nightclub, Birch by Romeo Lane, located in Arpora, North Goa, was the site of a devastating fire on 6 December, which claimed 25 lives and left several others injured
The Luthra brothers were were detained in Thailand. File Pics/PTI
A court in Goa's Mapusa on Monday extended the police remand of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of the nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, till December 26, reported the ANI.
The Luthra brothers were produced before the the Mapusa Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court on Monday in connection with the Goa nightclub fire.
The nightclub, located in Arpora, North Goa, was the site of a devastating fire on 6 December, which claimed 25 lives and left several others injured.
In the same proceedings, the Mapusa JMFC court remanded Ajay Gupta, the third partner of Birch by Romeo Lane, to 14 days of judicial custody, as per the ANI.
Accused brought from Delhi after deportation
The Luthra brothers were brought to Goa from Delhi on 16 December after being deported from Thailand. Following their arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, a Delhi court granted the Goa Police a 48-hour transit remand.
On December 17, the accused were produced before the Mapusa JMFC court, which granted the police five days’ custody for further investigation.
Forged documents allegations
Advocate Vishnu Joshi, representing the families of the victims, told ANI that fresh revelations had emerged during the probe. According to him, the police have alleged that the trade licence and other related documents of the Luthra brothers were forged, as per the ANI.
Fire caused by safety violations, say cops
The fatal fire broke out during a firework event organised at the nightclub without adequate fire safety equipment, police said. The Goa government has initiated criminal proceedings against the club owners, citing alleged negligence and violations of mandatory safety norms.
According to the Goa Police, the accused organised the event despite being aware that the premises lacked emergency exit doors on the ground and deck floors, making evacuation difficult in case of an emergency, the news agency reported.
Owners had complete control over operations: Police
In submissions made earlier before the Patiala House Court in Delhi, the Goa Police stated that the Luthra brothers were the main owners and partners of Birch by Romeo Lane and exercised complete control over the club’s operations, including safety arrangements, permissions and events conducted at the venue, the ANI reported.
The police maintained that custodial interrogation of the accused in Goa was necessary at a crucial stage of the investigation.
A criminal case was registered on December 7 at the Arpora Anjuna Police Station in North Goa under Sections 105, 125, 125(a), 125(b) and 287, read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
(with ANI inputs)
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