Were the Luthra Brothers Brought Back to Goa After Their Deportation from Thailand?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Luthra brothers have been deported from Thailand back to Goa.
- They face serious charges stemming from a nightclub fire that killed 25 people.
- Ongoing investigations reveal significant safety violations at the nightclub.
- Legal proceedings are set to commence following their return to India.
- The nightclub operated without valid licenses at the time of the incident.
Goa, Dec 17 (NationPress) Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, proprietors of the North Goa nightclub 'Birch by Romeo Lane', were returned to Goa by police on Wednesday, just a day following their deportation from Thailand. This development is linked to the tragic fire incident at their nightclub earlier this month, which resulted in 25 fatalities.
The Luthra brothers had escaped India promptly after the incident and were brought back to Delhi on Tuesday after being apprehended by Thai authorities. In Goa, they will encounter legal actions and an ongoing investigation.
Officials reported that Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra flew on an IndiGo flight to Phuket mere hours after a massive fire erupted at Birch by Romeo Lane in the early hours of December 7. The inferno, which allegedly ignited during a dance performance featuring electronic fireworks, spread to the roof and ultimately claimed 25 lives, including both tourists and staff, leaving many others injured.
The brothers were discovered and detained in Phuket on December 11 when they ventured out of their hotel for a meal. They were then transported to Bangkok, from where they were deported back to India. An IndiGo flight carrying them landed in Delhi around 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Upon arrival, they were taken into police custody and presented before a local court in Delhi, where the Goa Police requested transit remand for further proceedings in Goa.
A charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, alongside accusations of negligence, has been filed against the Luthra brothers. Investigators contend that the nightclub was operating in violation of crucial fire safety and building regulations, which exacerbated the fire's impact. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice had previously been issued against them after their departure from the country.
Police investigations unveiled that highly flammable materials, including bamboo, were extensively utilized in constructing the club, facilitating the rapid spread of the inferno. Moreover, the nightclub reportedly featured a narrow entry and exit, complicating evacuation efforts and leaving many trapped during the incident.
On December 11, a court in Delhi dismissed the anticipatory bail requests from the Luthra brothers. During the proceedings, the Goa Police presented evidence that contradicted the brothers' claims of limited involvement in the business and premeditated travel abroad. These documents included applications submitted to the FSSAI and Pollution Control Board, as well as GST records identifying the brothers as business partners. The police also informed the court that the nightclub's Panchayat license had expired and was never renewed, indicating that the venue was operating without valid authorization at the time of the fire.