The Luthra brothers, accused in the Arpora nightclub fire that killed 25 people, had booked flights to Thailand while rescue teams were still battling the inferno and trying to save those trapped inside, Goa police has found. Investigators say the brothers made the booking at 1:17 a.m. on Dec. 7 — at the height of the firefighting operation — raising new questions about their intent to avoid the investigation.
According to the latest Hindustan Times report, the Luther brothers have been detained in Thailand. The process of their deportation is underway, the HT report said.
When did the Luther brothers book their flights to Thailand?
According to officials involved in the investigation, the booking was made through the MakeMyTrip platform in the early hours of December 7.
Officials said, “Even as Goa Police and Goa Fire Services fought to douse the fire and rescue people trapped inside, the Luthra brothers were preparing to flee the country.
Read also | Goa club fire: MEA considers Goa government’s request to cancel Luthras’ passports
Police say both Gaurav and Saurav Luthra left India shortly after and are currently in Thailand. The Goa court issued a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW).
What’s the latest on arrests in the Arpora nightclub fire?
A Goa police team on Thursday brought Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, back to Goa for questioning. Gupta was placed on a 36-hour transit remand from a Saket court in Delhi on December 10.
The Arpora nightclub fire on December 6 killed 25 people – five tourists and 20 staff – making it one of the worst fire tragedies on record in the state’s hospitality sector.
Police confirmed that Gupta “was arrested in the Goa club fire” and noted that the other accused, the Luthra brothers, remain at large.
What did the Delhi Police tell the court?
During the court proceedings in Delhi, the police informed the Rohini court that the Luthra brothers had left the country “soon after the Goa club fire tragedy”, leading to the issuance of the NBW.
The public prosecutor argued against any protection for the accused, saying the brothers “deliberately avoided the investigation”.
However, the Luthras, through their lawyers, told the court that they were “arrested on landing in India” and claimed that their earlier trip to Thailand was work-related. Their counsel argued that the brothers were only seeking limited transit protection to approach the Goa court.
For Rohini, the court questioned the maintainability of their anticipatory bail applications on the grounds that the applicants were not currently within the court’s local jurisdiction.
What actions are taken in Goa after the tragedy?
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the official inquiry report would be completed within eight days. He added that the state has begun paying compensation to victims’ families and will strengthen compliance checks at hotels, clubs and entertainment venues.
The district administration also demolished a portion of the Romeo Lane restaurant in Vagator, owned by Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, who also own Birch by Romeo Lane.
Why is the investigation focusing on potential leaks?
The timing of the Luther brothers’ departure has become a focal point of the investigation, especially since emergency crews were still battling the fire when the trip was booked. Police say the timing suggests an intention to avoid questioning, while the defense says the trip was pre-planned.
Further results of the investigation are expected when the Goa Police submits an investigation report next week.
