The Luthra brothers, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub where a devastating fire killed 25 people, were formally arrested on Tuesday after being deported from Thailand, bringing an end to a 10-day search following the incident.
Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra were taken into custody after landing at Delhi airport. A court subsequently granted the Goa Police a two-day transit remand to facilitate their transfer to the coastal state.
To Be Produced Before Mapusa Court
The brothers, who are facing charges of culpable homicide and negligence in connection with the December 6 blaze, will be produced before a judicial magistrate in Mapusa later in the day, police said.
While seeking transit remand before the Delhi court, investigators said the Luthras were the principal owners of the nightclub and had “ultimate control over the operation, safety arrangement, permissions and events conducted at the premises.”
Deadly Fire in North Goa
The fire broke out at the nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora on the night of December 6, killing four tourists and 21 employees. According to police records, even before the flames could be fully extinguished, the Luthra brothers fled the country and travelled to Phuket.
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Thai authorities detained the duo last week after an Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued against them, leading to their eventual deportation to India.
Fire Safety Violations Alleged
The first information report stated that the nightclub was operating in violation of mandatory fire safety norms. It further alleged that a fire show was organised at the club on December 6 without any fire safety equipment in place.
Investigators have maintained that these lapses played a critical role in the scale of the tragedy.
Court Rejects Pre-Arrest Bail Plea
The Luthra brothers’ legal troubles deepened on December 11 when a Delhi court denied them pre-arrest bail. The judge described the allegations as “grave and serious” and strongly criticised their conduct.
The court observed that booking tickets to Phuket just one hour after the fire indicated a clear attempt to “evade the legal process.”
Defence Arguments Fall Flat
The brothers had argued that they were not absconding and had travelled to Thailand to set up a restaurant in Phuket. They also claimed they were receiving death threats on social media and feared being lynched if they returned to Goa.
However, the court rejected these submissions, paving the way for their arrest and transfer to Goa for further proceedings.
