New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) The tragic incident at a nightclub in Goa has resurfaced in the Rajya Sabha, where Congress MP from Chhattisgarh, Phulo Devi Netam, urged the government to implement stringent measures against illegal nightclubs nationwide.

“A devastating fire at a Goa nightclub led to the heartbreaking loss of 25 lives, including four foreign nationals. This incident is profoundly tragic. The nightclub was operating without proper authorization. Just like in Goa, there are illegal nightclubs functioning in various other states. I implore the government to take decisive action on this,” stated Netam.

The official social media account of the Congress party also emphasized her call for immediate measures, underscoring the importance of regulating illegal clubs to prevent future disasters similar to the Goa nightclub fire.

In the ongoing investigation into the Goa fire, a rapid multi-agency operation that spanned two countries resulted in the apprehension of Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, the owners of Goa’s Birch By Romeo Lane nightclub, in Thailand.

The brothers fled the country in the aftermath of the deadly fire at their Gol nightclub.

Authorities have initiated the deportation process and expect the siblings to be returned shortly, with both currently held in a detention center in Phuket.

Officials are maintaining communication with Thai authorities, and the process to secure their return is already underway.

Indian authorities acted swiftly in tracking the brothers down. The operation commenced immediately after immigration officials notified them of the brothers' exit. Consequently, Thai officials were promptly informed.

The immigration desk was the first to alert the authorities regarding their departure. Once it was confirmed that the brothers had arrived in Phuket, Thai authorities swung into action.

Another official noted that the operation had to be executed quickly due to concerns that the brothers might leave Thailand upon realizing they were being pursued. After alerting Thai authorities about the brothers, extensive searches were conducted across the island.

Although the detention could have occurred earlier, the brothers had relocated from their original accommodation in Phuket, which extended the search. Ultimately, they were located and detained.

Reports indicate that Gaurav and Saurabh booked their tickets at 1:17 a.m. on December 7 through MakeMyTrip, coinciding with the time when firefighters and police were engaged in efforts to extinguish the fire and rescue trapped individuals inside the nightclub in Arpora, Goa.

The brothers are now in custody in Thailand, where authorities are progressing with legal procedures. An official indicated that they anticipate deportation to happen soon. Upon their return to India, they will be handed over to the Goa police for further investigation.

Another official mentioned that deportation could occur within a day. The Goa police have suspended the brothers' passports. Currently, the Ministry of External Affairs is reviewing a request from the Goa police to revoke their passports.

On Wednesday, a court in New Delhi denied the brothers interim protection from arrest. Their lawyer argued that the Luthras had not escaped the country but were on a business trip. They also claimed they were not the owners but merely licensees of the nightclub and that the daily operations were managed by the staff, absolving them of direct accountability.

As part of the investigation, the Goa police have arrested five managers and staff members related to the incident. Goa Chief Minister Promod Sawant has assured strict measures will be enacted, stating that an inquiry report will be prepared within eight days.

Twenty-five individuals lost their lives, and six others sustained injuries when a fire erupted at the nightclub on Saturday night. At the time of the incident, approximately 100 people were present in the club. An initial evaluation indicates that the fire was caused by the extensive use of flammable materials in the decor, alongside shocking violations of fire safety regulations.