A new photograph has emerged showing Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in North Goa, seated on chairs at the Phuket Immigration Control Centre, with Thai authorities
standing behind them.
The image comes after both brothers were formally detained by Thai officials following the deadly fire at their nightclub, which claimed 25 lives on the night of December 6 in Arpora village.
The detention follows the Delhi court’s rejection of the Luthras’ transit anticipatory bail pleas, which they had filed to avoid immediate arrest upon their return to India.
The plea sought a four-week transit anticipatory bail, citing their willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
However, Additional Sessions Judge Vandana dismissed the application, with the Goa government’s lawyer pointing out that the brothers had “left, they concealed, and they are now seeking leniency,” highlighting their flight from the country shortly after the tragedy.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured that both Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra would be brought back to India at the earliest to face legal action.
A team of the Goa Police and the CBI has been tasked with overseeing their return.
Authorities have also highlighted that the brothers fled to Phuket within hours of the fire, booking tickets at 1.17 am on December 7, just over an hour after learning about the incident.
An Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued on December 9, following a request from the Goa Police routed through the CBI.
The Goa Police have accused the Luthras of injury-causing death, manslaughter, and murder for organising a fire show at their nightclub “without taking proper care and caution and without providing fire safety equipment or other safety gadgets.”
Fireworks are said to have triggered the blaze that resulted in the deaths of 25 patrons.
In a related development, Ajay Gupta, who claimed to be a silent partner and investor in the nightclub, was remanded to seven days of police custody by a Goa court.
Gupta, brought from Delhi, maintained that he had no operational role in the facility and was a “sleeping partner” with no involvement in club operations.
The police had initially sought ten days of custody.
Apart from Gupta, five other managers and staff members of the nightclub have also been arrested.
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