Goa, Dec 11 (NationPress) In a critical advancement concerning the investigation into the Goa nightclub fire, officials have announced the suspension of the passports belonging to the primary suspects, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Central government or any designated officer holds the right to suspend passports based on Section 10A of the Passports Act of 1967 (the pertinent provision is detailed in the Annexure).

Individuals whose passports are suspended are forbidden from traveling abroad using those documents.

In criminal cases, passports are often placed on hold, with restoration requiring the fulfillment of specific legal conditions. Sources indicate that the next step will likely involve the cancellation of these passports.

This action bars the Luthra brothers, who are currently in Thailand, from traveling beyond Phuket. Authorities believe this move increases the likelihood of securing their deportation through diplomatic means with INTERPOL's assistance.

Investigation reports reveal that the Luthra brothers departed for Thailand shortly after the tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals last week.

Information that emerged on Wednesday indicates they booked flights to Phuket at a moment when emergency teams were still engaged in battling the inferno at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' and attempting to rescue those trapped inside.

Records show that the brothers accessed the MakeMyTrip (MMT) platform at 1:17 a.m. on December 7 while firefighting efforts were still in progress at the nightclub. Immigration logs confirm they boarded an IndiGo flight 6E 1073 from Delhi at 5:30 a.m. that same morning.

As the investigation intensified regarding the timing of their departure, the Luthra brothers filed for anticipatory bail in Delhi's Rohini Court on Wednesday, claiming their travel abroad was not an effort to elude authorities.

Their lawyer informed the court that Saurabh had traveled to Thailand on December 6 for professional purposes and potential restaurant opportunities, asserting that the brothers were merely seeking legal protection to return to India without facing immediate arrest.

The court denied their request for interim protection and scheduled a hearing for Thursday.

The Goa Police opposed the bail application, arguing that the brothers fled just hours after the tragedy and should not be granted relief while they are outside the country.

In a related development, the Goa Police presented another suspect, Ajay Gupta, to a magistrate in Delhi on Wednesday. Following the completion of necessary medical procedures, he will be transferred to Goa for further interrogation.

Authorities suggest that additional arrests are probable as they reconstruct the timeline of events surrounding the fire and investigate the alleged efforts by the primary suspects to evade capture.

This devastating fire, which ravaged the club near the Arpora River backwaters, resulted in 25 fatalities, including four tourists and 14 staff members.

According to law enforcement officials, the club's limited entry and exit points significantly hindered many victims from escaping the blaze in time.

The fire broke out around midnight on Sunday at the establishment located in the vibrant Baga area, known for attracting large crowds due to its proximity to one of Goa's most popular beaches.