Panaji, Dec 11 (NationPress) Ajay Gupta, a businessman from Delhi and co-owner of the nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ in Goa that suffered a devastating fire, has been placed in police custody for seven days to facilitate ongoing investigations.

Advocate Rohan Dessai, representing Gupta, stated, "Ajay Gupta is fully cooperating with the investigation. The Goa Police had requested a custody period of 10 days, but the court allowed only seven. As the investigation proceeds, I cannot disclose his involvement at this time."

Gupta, who is a sleeping partner of club owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, was arrested on Wednesday.

With Gupta's detention, the total number of individuals arrested in this case has now reached six, according to police reports.

Earlier on that day, the Luthra brothers, who fled India shortly after a catastrophic fire at their nightclub claimed 25 lives, were apprehended in Thailand.

The brothers, known for running the Romeo Lane restaurant chain across four countries, reportedly traveled to Phuket just hours after the incident at their establishment in Arpora, North Goa.

They are facing serious charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with significant allegations of negligence. Indian authorities are expected to formally request their extradition to face trial in Goa, as reported by NDTV.

Earlier that day, the Luthra brothers' passports were suspended, according to officials.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has the authority to suspend passports, as outlined in Section 10A of the Passports Act, 1967.

Individuals with suspended passports cannot travel internationally using those documents. Typically, passports are suspended in relation to criminal cases, and restoration requires meeting legal criteria or court orders. The next step is likely to involve the cancellation of their passports.

According to NDTV sources, the Luthra brothers are anticipated to be deported within 24 hours.

Indian officials are currently traveling to Thailand to facilitate the return of the Luthra brothers.

The fire broke out late Saturday night during a music event at the club, which had nearly 100 attendees, many of them tourists. Videos from the event depict performers engaging the audience with Bollywood hits, and the use of electric firecrackers is believed to have ignited the blaze.

The nightclub transformed into a lethal trap due to extensive flammable decorations and a blatant neglect of fire safety regulations. Authorities found no operational fire extinguishers or alarm systems on site. The narrow access road further complicated the situation, preventing fire engines from reaching the venue; they had to be stationed nearly 400 meters away, which delayed rescue efforts and hampered firefighting operations.

By the time firefighters managed to bring the inferno under control, 25 lives had been lost, including five tourists and 20 staff members. The majority of the victims were found in the basement, having succumbed to toxic smoke inhalation.