Breaking: Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra detained in Phuket after Goa nightclub fire! Are they really responsible for the 25 deaths or did a major operation come to save them? Know the first pictures and the truth behind the scenes.
Panaji. The massive fire that broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, Goa shocked the entire nation. 25 people died in this accident. The nightclub’s owners, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, fled India just hours after the fire. Now, a few days after his escape, the first pictures taken of him in custody in Phuket, Thailand have emerged. Interpol had issued a blue notice and the Government of India had issued a look-out circular against the brothers. Goa Police is now preparing to bring him back to India with the help of Thai authorities so that he can face trial.
How did Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra flee India so quickly?
Investigation revealed that barely five hours after the fire, the Luthra brothers booked a flight from Delhi to Thailand. These tickets were booked at 1.17 am on December 7, just when firefighters and police teams were extinguishing the fire and helping injured people. This rapid escape raises many questions: Had they planned their escape in advance? And how did it get so far so quickly?
What was said in the FIR: Was the brother really innocent?
The brothers claimed in court that they were not involved in the day-to-day operations and were being targeted in a vendetta. But the Goa Police FIR tells a very different story:
- The club did not have a fire alarm or any valid fire audit.
- The staff was fully aware that such a mistake could lead to a fatal accident.
- The club had no emergency exits, leaving many guests trapped in the fire.
Additionally, the Goa government also demolished another property of the Luthra family, a hut, because it was built illegally and did not have safety measures.
What steps did the Goa government take?
Chief Minister Pramod Madhav has promised that the brothers will be brought back to India soon. He also warned nightclub owners in coastal areas that similar action would be taken if they do not follow safety rules. This week, Goa Police and other agencies were coordinating across the border in an effort to nab the brothers. On Tuesday, co-owner Ajay Gupta was detained in Delhi, who said he was merely a “sleeping partner” and had no knowledge of any security lapses at the club.
Now what will be the next step?
When the Luthra brothers were detained, Goa Police would obtain transit custody through Thai authorities. After this he will return to India and face trial. In this trial, it will be investigated where the operational failure occurred, and who is responsible for the death of 25 people.