A court in Mapusa has decided to postpone a crucial hearing related to the tragic fire at a popular nightspot in North Goa. The case involves the owners of the establishment where a devastating blaze claimed multiple lives.
Court Hearing Adjourned to January
The Mapusa court on Tuesday adjourned the anticipatory bail hearings of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra to January 7. The Luthra brothers are the owners of Birch by Romeo Lane at Arpora, where a massive fire broke out resulting in the deaths of 25 persons.
They are facing allegations of forging a health officer's No Objection Certificate (NOC) to obtain an excise licence for the venue. The court's decision means the legal proceedings will extend into the new year.
Victims' Families Seek Intervention in Bail Plea
In a significant development, the court will also hear arguments on an intervention application filed by the families of the victims of the fire. These families have sought to be heard in the Luthra brothers' anticipatory bail applications, indicating their active pursuit of justice in the case.
This move underscores the ongoing anguish and quest for accountability following the tragedy that shocked the state.
Interim Protection Granted Amidst Custody
Despite being currently in judicial custody for offences related to the fire tragedy, the court granted interim protection from arrest to the Luthra brothers concerning the specific forgery allegations. The broader fire case is being investigated by the Anjuna police station.
In their submission to the court, the Luthras argued that the allegations in the First Information Report (FIR) do not disclose any prima facie case against them for the commission of the alleged offence of forgery.
The judicial process continues as the community and the victims' families await answers and justice for the profound loss suffered in the Arpora fire incident.
