(Image source from: x.com/ani_digital)
Delhi siblings Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who escaped India following a nightclub fire in Goa that resulted in 25 fatalities, have been captured in Thailand. In two different images, they are depicted with their hands restrained and their passports in hand while standing alongside local law enforcement. The owners of the Romeo Lane restaurant chain, which has locations in 22 cities and four countries, fled to Phuket in Thailand mere hours after a devastating fire occurred at their club 'Birch by Romeo Lane' in Arpora village, North Goa. The brothers are being charged with culpable homicide that does not constitute murder, as well as negligence. Indian officials are now working to have them sent back to face trial in Goa. Reports indicate that a group of Indian representatives has traveled to Thailand and will return with the Luthras within 24 hours.
Twenty-five individuals lost their lives and six others sustained injuries when a fire erupted at the nightclub in Goa late on Saturday night. At that time, the venue was hosting a music night, with around 100 patrons, mostly tourists, enjoying themselves. Footage captured during the event shows a dancer and musicians performing popular Bollywood songs. The performance utilized electric firecrackers, which might have triggered the blaze.
The nightclub became a deadly trap due to extensive use of combustible materials in its decorations and serious breaches of fire safety regulations. There were no working fire extinguishers or safety alarms found on the site. Additionally, the access road was so narrow that fire trucks could not reach the venue and had to park about 400 meters away. This caused delays in rescue efforts and complicated the firefighting process.
By the time firefighters managed to extinguish the fire, 25 individuals had lost their lives. Among them were five tourists and 20 staff members. Most victims were located in the basement, having succumbed to toxic smoke inhalation. The heartbreaking event shocked the coastal region during its peak tourist season. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant promised strict measures in response. Four staff members were arrested, and efforts to locate the Luthras began. Goa police traveled to the national capital, and the local Delhi police joined the search. As officers conducted raids at their residences in Delhi, they discovered that the Luthras had booked flights shortly after the fire started and departed a few hours later. Ajay Gupta, a business partner of the Luthra brothers, has been arrested in Delhi. The brothers have filed a request for anticipatory bail with a Delhi court, claiming that they are licensees rather than the actual owners of the venue where the nightclub operated. They have requested four weeks of transit anticipatory bail to avoid immediate arrest upon their return to Delhi. They also stated in their petition that they traveled to Thailand for a business meeting and did not flee due to the fire. In their claim, they asserted they were not present at the club during the incident.
