The Ministry of External Affairs is apparently considering a request from the Goa government to revoke the passports of the Luthra brothers, who allegedly escaped to Thailand following the deadly fire at a nightclub in North Goa. The development comes on a day a Delhi court denied interim relief to the accused.
According to reports, the Union ministry is considering a request from the Goa government to revoke the passports of Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra. "The Ministry has received a communication from the Government of Goa with regard to Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra. It is examining the request to revoke the passports under the Passports Act of India, as per extant rules," an official said.
As many as 25 people died in a tragic fire at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Goa's Arpora on December 7. The deceased included tourists, and the majority of them were staff members, who were largely trapped in the basement and kitchen area of the club. Most deaths were caused by suffocation.
On Tuesday, Interpol issued a Blue Corner Notice against the Luthras, who are believed to have escaped to Phuket soon after the tragedy. The brothers reportedly left for Thailand on a flight at 5:03 am on Sunday, about six hours after the fire at the club.
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Goa police have so far arrested six persons -- the nightclub’s chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur, employee Bharat Kohli and investor Ajay Gupta. Gupta was arrested in Delhi on Wednesday, and a Delhi court granted transit remand for 36 hours.
Earlier in the day, the Rohini Court of Delhi refused to grant interim relief to the accused, and has sought a response from the Goa government over the transit bail plea moved by the accused. The Delhi court will next hear the matter on December 11.
