A court in Goa on Wednesday ordered five days of police custody for Saurav Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of the nightclub where a catastrophic fire last month claimed 25 lives. The Mapusa Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court granted the remand to allow investigators to interrogate the brothers about the tragic incident at their venue, Birch by Romeo Lane, in Arpora.
The Fatal Night and the Aftermath
The devastating blaze broke out on December 6 around 11:45 PM during a packed event at the popular nightspot. Preliminary reports suggest that electric firecrackers, part of the event's display, struck the wooden ceiling, igniting a massive fire that quickly spread. The inferno resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals, including tourists and staff members, with several others suffering injuries.
In a move that drew severe criticism, the Luthra brothers allegedly fled India within hours of the disaster. Police stated that they boarded a flight to Thailand on December 7, even as rescue operations continued at the charred site. A criminal case was promptly registered against them at the Anjuna police station.
International Manhunt and Deportation
Following their disappearance, Goa Police launched an extensive search, issuing a nationwide lookout circular and seeking an Interpol Blue Notice to track the brothers internationally. The Ministry of External Affairs suspended their passports, a crucial step that led Thai authorities to detain Saurav and Gaurav Luthra in Phuket for overstaying illegally.
Subsequently, the duo was deported to India on emergency travel documents issued by the Indian embassy. They landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday, where waiting Goa Police officers formally arrested them. A Delhi court granted a 48-hour transit remand, facilitating their transfer to Goa for judicial proceedings.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
The police have booked the brothers under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and criminal negligence. The investigation is also focusing on serious allegations that the nightclub was operating with expired licenses and without mandatory safety clearances.
In addition to the owners, investigators have arrested several other individuals connected to the club's operations. The probe aims to unravel the complete chain of events and accountability lapses that led to one of Goa's deadliest fire tragedies in recent years.
