Goa Nightclub Fire: No Relief for Luthras, Delhi Court Sends Co-owner Ajay Gupta on 36-Hour Transit Remand

Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of Goa's 'Birch by Romeo' Lane nightclub that caught fire killing at least 25 people, on Wednesday failed to get interim relief. In a parallel development, a Delhi court

granted a 36-hour transit remand of Ajay Gupta, one of the co-owners of Goa's 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub.Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the two primary owners of the nightclub located at Arpora in Goa, had fled to Phuket in Thailand following the tragedy on the night of December 6. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued against them. Meanwhile, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against co-owner Ajay Gupta. He was later detained in Delhi.

Goa Fire: Luthras Fail to Get Interim Relief

The owners of Goa's 'Birch by Romoe Lane' - Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra- failed to get interim relief from a Delhi court. The court has posted their plea seeking transit anticipatory bail for hearing on Thursday. Additional Sessions Judge Vandana, who was hearing the transit anticipatory bail of the accused persons, sought a response from Goa on the transit anticipatory bail filed by the two brothers and set the next date of hearing for Thursday.

The brothers sought four weeks of transit anticipatory bail so that they would not be immediately arrested after they returned to Delhi from Thailand. They have also sought interim protection from arrest.

Club Co-Owner Sent to 36-Hour Transit Remand

A Delhi court on Wednesday allowed the Goa Police a 36-hour transit remand of Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners of the nightclub. The judge directed that special consideration be taken on account of Gupta’s spinal injury and other medical issues, and that timely medication should be ensured during custody.Ajay Gupta was detained in Delhi for questioning in connection with the fire incident at the nightclub in Goa, following which he was produced before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vinod Joshi. The court granted a 36-hour transit remand in view of the ongoing air travel crisis due to disrupted Indigo flights.

During the remand, Ajay Gupta is likely to face detailed questioning in Goa about the club's management, operational responsibilities and fire-safety compliance, the sources said.The police have so far arrested five persons - the nightclub's chief general manager, Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and employee Bharat Kohli.