Goa nightclub fire: Co-owner detained from Delhi; Luthra brothers still on the run

A blue corner notice has been issued against Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, who have allegedly fled to Thailand

A view of Romeo Lane on Anjuna beach during a demolition drive | PTI A view of Romeo Lane on Anjuna beach during a demolition drive | PTI

Police on Tuesday detained Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners of the nightclub 'Birch by Romeo Lane' in Goa, where a devastating fire claimed 25 lives last week. He is the sixth person to be held in connection with the case.

Gupta was detained from Delhi. Earlier, a lookout circular had been issued against him after the probe team failed to find him at his residence in the national capital when it visited there.

The police had already arrested five persons—the nightclub's chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and employee Bharat Kohli.

Meanwhile, all three other owners of the nightclub—Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra and Surinder Kumar Khosla—are on the run. 

Police have found that the Luthra brothers fled to Phuket in Thailand hours after the incident. The probe team is now coordinating with the Interpol Division of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to apprehend the duo.

A blue corner notice has been issued against the absconding accused

At least 25 people, including four tourists, were killed in the devastating fire that struck the nightclub in North Goa on Saturday night.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant alleged that the nightclub had not complied with fire safety norms. The popular party venue at Arpora village, around 25 km from the state capital Panaji, opened last year.

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