Goa Nightclub Fire: Passports of Luthras To Be Revoked? Centre Says Considering Goa Government's Request

Goa Nightclub Fire: The Indian government on Wednesday said that it is considering revoking the passports of Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, the owners of the Goa nightclub - 'Birch by Romeo Lane' - where

25 people were killed in a fire on December 6, following a request from the state government.Sources told Times Now that the Ministry of External Affairs has received a communication from the Goa government with regard to the passports of Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra. It is examining the request to revoke their passports under the Passports Act of India, in accordance with the rules, they said.Brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who are owners of 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in North Goa, left for Phuket, Thailand shortly after the fire incident. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued against them.The investigation into the tragedy at the Goa revealed that the owners had booked their tickets just minutes after the blaze broke out. The Luthra brothers booked their flight tickets to Thailand at 1:17 am on December 7, even as Goa Police and Fire Services were battling the massive blaze and trying to rescue those trapped inside, reported ANI. The duo booked their tickets to Thailand on the MMT platform at 1:17 am on December 7.

A Delhi court on Wednesday refused to give any interim protection from arrest to the duo, while their partner was held in connection with the fire incident. In the court, the Luthras' lawyer refuted allegations that they had fled, claiming the trip was for a business meeting, and argued that the brothers are only licensees, not the actual owners of the nightclub. They had sought four weeks of transit anticipatory bail so that they would not be immediately arrested after they returned to Delhi from Thailand, which was denied by the 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.Five managers and staff members have already been arrested by Goa Police in connection with the fire that broke out at the nightclub located in Arpora.