The owners of a Goa nightclub where a fire killed 25 people last Saturday, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, expressed fears of being “lynched in Goa” in a bail application that was rejected by a Delhi court on Thursday. The Luthra brothers are currently detained in Thailand and are expected to be deported to India soon, facing charges including murder.
Luthra Brothers’ Fears and Arrest
Gaurav (44) and Saurabh (40) Luthra, owners of Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora village, North Goa, made the claim of potential “lynching” in their anticipatory bail plea before a court in Rohini, Delhi. Additional sessions judge Vandana rejected the plea, stating the “nature of offence, prima facie, is grave and serious in nature.”
The brothers fled to Thailand hours after the fire and were detained there. They sought four weeks of transit anticipatory bail, arguing a threat to their safety upon returning to India and intending to approach courts in Goa for further relief.
Their lawyer argued in court, “There is a direct threat to my safety. I will be lynched in Goa. My other restaurants have been bulldozed straight away…We will join the investigation…I shall be prosecuted but not persecuted.” The lawyer also stated the brothers would cooperate fully with the investigation, appearing even at midnight if requested.
Details of Escape and Concealment
The judge noted that records showed flight tickets to Phuket were booked on December 7 at 1:17 am, with the flight departing at 5:20 am the same day. This contradicted their lawyer’s claim that they left for Thailand before the fire.
Documents filed with the application revealed that the nightclub’s license agreement, trade license, and lease deed had already expired.
The court dismissed arguments citing medical grounds – a “seizure disorder” and hypertension – presented in Gaurav Luthra’s plea, stating the provided medical documents were outdated and did not indicate serious medical conditions.
Court Rejects Bail Arguments
The court rejected the argument of an “immediate threat” to their lives, stating that actions taken by authorities or the court cannot be considered a threat to life. The claim of “irremediable and irreversible prejudice” if denied bail was also dismissed.
The judge ruled that there was no reason to entertain the application for transit anticipatory bail or suspend the Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against them. The Luthra brothers are free to approach a competent court in Goa for appropriate relief.
Goa Authorities Respond
The State of Goa counsel told the Delhi court, “They left, they concealed, and they are now seeking leniency.”
In Goa, authorities continued to crack down on illegalities at nightclubs and tourism establishments, sealing ‘Goya The Night Club’ at Vagator due to construction on agricultural land. This club is not owned by the Luthra brothers.
The state also banned the use of fireworks, sparklers, and similar equipment inside tourist establishments, following reports that fireworks caused the blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane.
Goa police stated the Luthra brothers are accused of “injury causing death, manslaughter and murder” for organizing a fire show “without taking proper care and caution and without providing fire safety equipment, other safety gadgets.”
Deportation and Further Investigation
Officials have initiated the deportation process, and the brothers are expected to be brought back to India soon. Pictures of the Luthra brothers in handcuffs holding their passports have circulated on social media.
Union minister Shripad Naik, speaking outside Parliament, confirmed the arrests and questioned why the brothers fled after the tragedy. Chief minister Pramod Sawant stated a joint team from Goa Police and CBI would bring the Luthra brothers back “as soon as possible.”
A Goa court on Thursday remanded Ajay Gupta, a partner in the fire-ravaged nightclub, to seven days of police custody. Gupta claimed he had no operational role in the facility, stating he was a “sleeping partner” with no say in the club’s operations. Police have also arrested five managers and staff members of the nightclub.
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