A Goa court has remanded the Luthra brothers to five days of police custody in connection with the tragic fire mishap at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub earlier this month. The fugitive brothers were brought to Goa from Delhi earlier in the day.
Goa police produced Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, the co-owners of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Mapusa court on Wednesday. Judicial First Class Magistrate Puja Sardesai made the accused undergo medical examination twice after they sought special consideration over poor health.
On landing in Goa from Delhi, the duo were initially taken to a Primary Health Centre at Siolim for medical examination. They were later taken to the District Hospital at Mapusa. However, after they sought leniency on health grounds, the magistrate ordered a second health examination.
Advocate Vishnu Joshi, representing Bhavana Joshi, who lost four family members in the tragedy, said that the accused were asking for special consideration, claiming poor health. "We said they should not be given any extra relaxation. But, since they kept pressing for a medical check-up, the court ordered re-examination of their health. It is clear in the medical examination that they don't require any consideration. The accused sought special considerations in the lock-up, like a good mattress, which the court refused."
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The brothers escaped to Phuket, Thailand, soon after fire broke out at the nightclub on December 6, allegedly operating in violation of safety norms. Thai police detained them after Interpol issued a Blue Corner Notice against the brothers on the run. The Goa government had also requested the Ministry of External Affairs to cancel their passports.
The Luthra brothers are facing various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. As many as 25 people died in the tragedy, and the majority of them were staff members. Police have so far arrested five managers and a partner in connection with the probe.