New Delhi/Panaji: Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, have reportedly moved Delhi’s Rohini court seeking anticipatory bail. The hearing is scheduled today, as reported by TOI.
A major fire swept through the nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora, shortly after midnight on Sunday, claiming 25 lives. Officials claimed that the establishment was operating without mandatory licences and had inadequate safety measures.
The Luthra brothers are said to have fled to Phuket in Thailand, immediately after coming to know of the blaze. The Goa Police have since issued a lookout notice for them and has approached Interpol through the CBI.
Several people associated with the running of the nightclub have already been arrested. They include Ajay Gupta, a business partner of the Luthras.
“I am just a partner. I don’t know anything,” Gupta told reporters after his arrest.
It has also been reported that the regional passport office in New Delhi has issued a notice to the Luthras, asking them to explain within seven days why action should not be taken to impound their passports.
India and Thailand signed an extradition treaty in 2013, which came into effect on June 29, 2015. Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant stated that a team would be sent to Thailand to bring back the accused.
Varsha Sharma, deputy inspector general of police, Goa, said a lookout notice has also been issued against UK national Surinder Kumar Khosla, the owner of the property.
A probe into the Luthras’ financial transactions is also underway in collaboration with central agencies, the Goa Police have said.
