Goa Nightclub Fire Tragedy: MEA Examines Revoking Passports Of Luthra Brothers

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs has received a communication from the Goa Government about Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra in the case pertaining to the Goa nightclub fire tragedy, said sources on Wednesday.

The MEA is examining the request to revoke the passports under the Passports Act of India, as per extant rules, the sources added. The Delhi Police has informed the Rohini Court that accused brothers Gaurav and Saurav Luthra had left the country soon after the Goa club fire tragedy, and a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) had already been issued against them by a Goa court.

Opposing their plea for protection, the State submitted that the brothers were deliberately evading investigation and should not be granted any interim relief.

Feared Custodial Action

The accused, however, told the Court through their counsel that they were apprehended upon arrival in India. They argued that they had travelled to Thailand for work-related reasons and now wished to return, but feared custodial action. Their lawyers emphasised that the applicants only sought brief transit protection to approach the competent court in Goa.

The Rohini Court took up the Transit anticipatory bail applications on Wednesday and questioned their maintainability, noting that the applicants were not presently within the territorial jurisdiction.

Senior Advocates Siddharth Luthra and Tanveer Ahmad Mir argued that the accused are permanent residents of Delhi and that courts outside the jurisdiction can issue notice in urgent matters involving interim anticipatory bail.

State counsel reiterated that the brothers were absconding and sought time to file a detailed status report on their departure from India and the actions taken by the Goa Police. The Court allowed the request and directed the State to place all relevant material on record before the next hearing.

The defence pressed for temporary protection until Thursday, stating that the brothers wanted to return and exercise their legal remedies but feared coercive action. The State opposed the plea, relying on the NBW and the circumstances suggesting evasion.

The Court, without granting any interim protection, fixed the matter for further hearing tomorrow.

The Transit anticipatory bail plea of Gaurav and Saurav Luthra will be taken up at 12 noon on Thursday, when the Court will consider the State's status report and decide on the request for transit relief in light of the police's objections.

'Arrest Them At Airport'

The counsel for the accused persons argued that the authorities intend to impound the accused persons' passports and arrest them at the airport, even though they had travelled abroad solely to establish business ventures. They reiterated that the accused apprehend arrest and are seeking protection to exercise their legal remedies.

It was highlighted that the club holds all necessary approvals, including a valid FSSAI license, state license, liquor license, and GST registration. The defence stressed that the tragic incident arose from a lady performer using cold pyros during her act, which led to the accident. The prosecution has now invoked Section 304 of the IPC, alleging culpable homicide.

A 'blue corner notice' has already been issued by INTERPOL against the absconding accused, Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra. The brothers fled to Thailand after the fire, which claimed 25 lives, and are now being tracked by international authorities.

Meanwhile, Delhi's Saket court granted a 36-hour transit remand of Ajay Gupta to the Goa police. He has been arrested in Delhi in the Goa club fire case. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Vinod Joshi granted a 36-hour transit remand of Ajay Gupta and directed him to be produced before the concerned court at Goa.

The court has also directed the Goa Police to address the medical issues Gupta is facing. Goa police produced Ajay Gupta in the Saket court after his arrest from Delhi.

Transit Remand Of Ajay Gupta

The investigation officer moved an application seeking transit remand of Ajay Gupta. While seeking remand, he cited the ongoing Indigo crisis and sought 36 hours of transit remand. He has been arrested in the Goa Club fire incident, which claimed the lives of 25 people. Another accused, Gaurav Luthra, has absconded to Thailand.

Earlier today, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the inquiry report will be ready within eight days, even as the state begins disbursing compensation to families of the victims and intensifies safety audits and enforcement across entertainment venues.

The district administration demolished part of the Romeo Lane restaurant in Vagator, Goa, on Tuesday. The restaurant is owned by Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, who also own Birch by Romeo Lane.

A 'blue corner notice' has already been issued by INTERPOL against the absconding accused, Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra.

The brothers fled to Thailand after the fire, which claimed 25 lives, and are now being tracked by international authorities.

Meanwhile, Goa Tourism's Rohan Khaunte said a strict investigation will be conducted from "down to top" and that "some heads need to roll."

"The Goa Police has achieved a major breakthrough in the investigation of the Birch by Romeo Lane fire incident. INTERPOL has issued a Blue Corner Notice against the absconding accused," Goa police said in a statement. 

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