Goa Nightclub Fire: Police Deny Helping Luthra Brothers Escape; Say, 'Flight Booked At 1.17 AM'

Goa Club Fire: The Goa police on Wednesday refuted the reports suggesting that a delay in action helped the Luthra brothers in fleeing the country hours after the fire at the Goa club that claimed 25 lives. While providing details, the police stated that Saurav and Gaurav Luthra, the prime accused in the case, booked their tickets for Phuket at 1.17 am on Sunday. It further stated that the ticket was booked via the MakeMyTrip (MMT) platform just half an hour after the tragic incident. The police also assured that a detailed probe has been launched in the matter, adding that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the incident.

Goa Police public relations officer (PRO) Nilesh Rane stated that the accused were planning to flee the country while the police were still trying to control the flames and rescuing the injured. “The Goa police investigation has revealed that the Luthra brothers booked tickets to Thailand on MMT platform at 1:17 AM on 7th December. While Goa Police and Fire Services were battling the blaze and rescuing those trapped, the accused were preparing to flee the country,” Rane stated.

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He also stated that the Luthra brothers fled early in the morning while the authorities were still engaged in the rescue operations. “The allegation of an “assisted escape” is completely false. Goa Police and all assisting agencies were at the site throughout the night until 6:00 AM carrying out rescue operations, dousing the fire, and recovering the victims. The accused left on a 5:30 AM flight, meaning they fled immediately after learning of the incident and before the scale of the tragedy was even known,” the police asserted.

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A Delhi court on Wednesday refused to provide any immediate relief to the accused, further stating that the hearing will take place on Thursday. The fire at the nightclub in Goa claimed at least 25 lives, including tourists and the club staffers.