Goa nightclub fire: Accused Ajay Gupta brought to Goa, 2 others flee

Ajay Gupta, a co-owner of the Arpora nightclub where a fire killed 25, was arrested and brought to Goa. Other owners, Gaurav and Saurav Luthra, fled to Thailand but now seek transit protection, facing a non-bailable warrant from a Goa court.

Key Accused Brought to Goa

The arrested accused in the tragic Arpora nightclub fire case, Ajay Gupta, was brought to Goa on Thursday and is being taken to the Anjuna Police Station by the Goa Police team. Gupta, one of the four owners of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub where a devastating blaze claimed 25 lives, including five tourists and 20 staff members, on December 6, was granted a 36-hour transit remand by Delhi's Saket Court on December 10. He has been arrested in the Goa Club fire incident, which claimed the lives of 25 people.

Other Accused Abscond, Seek Legal Cover

Another accused, Gaurav and Saurav Luthra, have absconded to Thailand. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police informed the Rohini Court that the accused brothers, Gaurav and Saurav Luthra, had left the country soon after the Goa club fire tragedy and that 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.

The accused, however, told the court through their counsel that they were apprehended upon landing 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.

Government Promises Swift Inquiry

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

Administration Demolishes Related Property

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

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)