NT Reporter
Mapusa
Anjuna police on Friday said that the deportation procedures of Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, who are wanted in connection with the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire and are presently detained in Thailand, are currently under process.
Luthra brothers, the owners of the nightclub, had fled to Phuket hours after the fire tragedy.
Officials in the police department said the cops have recorded statements of over 50 persons, including government officials, nightclub workers and victims, in connection with the Arpora blaze.
On Friday, the third owner of the nightclub, Ajay Gupta, who is in police custody, was taken to the North Goa District Hospital at Peddem, Mapusa, after he complained of back issues. Following a medical check-up, Gupta was escorted back to the police station.
Anjuna police on Friday produced accused Bharat Singh Kohli (49) before a Mapusa court, which extended his remand by six days. Kohli was arrested in Delhi, as he was responsible for managing the daily operations of the nightclub on behalf of its owners. Police had obtained a transit remand to bring him
to Goa.
Meanwhile, the three arrested managers of the nightclub, namely Priyanshu Thakur (Delhi), Rajveer Singhania and Vivek Singh (both from Uttar Pradesh) have moved bail applications in a court. Hearing on these applications will be held on December 15.
It may be noted that in Goa’s worst tragedy involving a hospitality establishment, nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane turned into a death trap on December 6 midnight as a massive fire tore through it, claiming 25 lives.
The fire tragedy exposed widespread illegalities in the operation and regulation of the state’s nightlife industry. The nightclub structure was found to be largely illegal, built without the required construction licences.
The premises allegedly had numerous safety lapses, including narrow exits, flammable decor (such as palm leaves) and a general lack of sufficient safety precautions required by law. The club reportedly continued to operate despite having an expired licence and lacking necessary no-objection certificates (NOCs) for fire safety, electricity and water.
Following the tragedy, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a magisterial inquiry into the procedural lapses that resulted in the mishap.
