'We’re Victims Too': How Luthra Brothers Sought Medical Bail But Were Denied In Goa Fire Case

In the latest update in the Goa club fire case, the Rohini Court on Wednesday declined to grant immediate interim protection from arrest to Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra. The brothers, seeking four weeks of anticipatory bail on medical grounds, told the court, “We’re also victims.” The bench began hearing their plea but refused to stay their arrest, directing Delhi Police to file a response and listing the matter for Friday.During the hearing, the prosecution opposed the application, stating they had received the plea only at 10 am and argued that the case was “not fit for hearing.”Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing the brothers, said the request was limited, seeking only to allow them to return to India and approach the appropriate

court in Goa.Also Read: Can Goa Nightclub Owners Be Extradited From Phuket? What India-Thailand Treaty SaysSiddharth Luthra told the court, "The issue of their appeal is simple. I am seeking the liberty to return to this country and approach the court in Goa." Referring to the victims of the fire, he said, "Those who were unconscious due to suffocation in the fire have died. But they, too, are victims. I am also concerned and hurt by this incident."Arguing for anticipatory bail, the defence said the brothers sought four weeks’ protection to appear voluntarily before the Goa court. “How can the State counsel oppose this when we want to come and participate in the legal process ourselves?” Luthra submitted.The brothers also cited medical reasons, stating that one of them suffers from epilepsy and submitted a 2020 medical prescription. They maintained they posed no risk to the investigation, saying, “We will neither tamper with evidence nor obstruct the investigation. We will cooperate fully.”Defence, while explaining their role in the nightclub, said, "I am only the licensee, the owner is someone else. I cannot even make repairs without their permission. The bar is actually the owner's property, I was only operating it on lease."Despite these submissions, the court refused to grant an interim stay on arrest, noting that the prosecution must first respond to the anticipatory bail plea. The next hearing is scheduled for tomorrow.

Bulldozer Action Against Luthras

Goa authorities on Tuesday bulldozed and demolished a part of shack 'Romeo Lane', owned by Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra brothers whose 'Birch by The Romeo Lane' nightclub caught fire and claimed lives of 25 people on Saturday midnight. The action against this shack property comes after authorities found irregularities related to encroachment and violation of norms. This shack is the third property owned by Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra. They flew to Thailand just hours after the fire in their nightclub in Arpora.

1. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered authorities to demolish the illegal 'Romeo Lane' beach shack at Vagator, owned by the fugitive owners of the fire-ravaged nightclub, after completing all formalities.
2. This shack is illegally built on government land. It would be demolished. District administration has kept all the machinery ready, the official said.
3. After the Saturday night fire tragedy, the district administration sealed this beach shack, and another facility at Assagao in North Goa on Monday.
4. Meanwhile, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court seeking a court-monitored probe into the fire incident at the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub that killed 25 persons. The petition, filed by social activist Aishwarya Salgaonkar, said the nightclub was operating without a valid construction licence and despite several demolition orders issued against it.