Goa nightclub fire: Co-owner Ajay Gupta detained in Delhi, Luthra brothers on the run
PTC News Desk: Goa Police have detained Ajay Gupta, one of the four co-owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub where a massive fire killed 25 people. Gupta had been missing since the tragedy but was picked up in Delhi after a Look-Out Circular was issued for him.
A Goa Police spokesperson said that Gupta is the sixth person held so far. The Look-Out Circular was issued after a police team couldn’t find him at his Delhi home. He will be formally arrested once the process of bringing him back to Goa is completed.
Since the December 7 fire, police have already arrested the nightclub’s chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur, and employee Bharat Kohli.
Another co-owner, Surinder Kumar Khosla, is also wanted, while two other owners — Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra — fled to Phuket, Thailand, shortly after the fire. A Blue Corner Notice has been issued against them.
The Luthra brothers left for Phuket from Delhi just hours after the incident. While absconding, Saurabh Luthra posted on Instagram expressing shock and sorrow over the deaths. After the fire, authorities also discovered that another Romeo Lane outlet at Vagator beach violated fire safety rules and was illegally constructed on government land.
This illegal property was demolished on Tuesday following orders from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
- With inputs from agencies
