Goa Police detained a co-owner of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, days after a fire at the establishment killed 25 people. The co-owner was identified as Ajay Gupta and he was held in Delhi following a Look Out Circular issued against him.
After being detained, he told the press in a brief exchange that he had no involvement in the daily operations of the club. Gupta claimed that he was “just a sleeping partner” and “didn’t know anything”.
Search on for Luthara brothers
The detention comes as police expand their search for the nightclub’s primary owners brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who left for Phuket within hours of the incident. According to the Bureau of Immigration, the Luthra brothers boarded IndiGo flight 6E 1073 from Delhi to Phuket on Sunday morning.
The regional passport office has issued notices asking why their passports should not be impounded. A Blue Corner Notice has also been issued against the property owner, British national Surinder Kumar Khosla.
Interpol has issued a Blue Corner Notice to trace them. Goa Police are coordinating with the CBI and Interpol and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said a team will be sent to Thailand to bring the accused back.
Gupta to be taken to Goa
Gupta is expected to be flown to Goa on Wednesday and formally placed under arrest once procedural requirements are completed.
Five others associated with the nightclub, namely chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and employee Bharat Kohli, have already been arrested.
Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte described the fire as “a very tragic episode” and said accountability must be fixed. District authorities on Tuesday demolished a portion of the Romeo Lane restaurant in Vagator, also owned by the Luthras, citing illegal construction.
