Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the co-owners of Goa's Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, have been detained in Thailand and are in the process of being deported to India.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, citing people familiar with the matter, the process to deport them to face trial for the nightclub fire has been initiated.
As many as 25 people were charred to death after a fire broke out at the nightclub on December 7. The fire erupted at 1:17 am.
The Goa government has written to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urging to cancel the passports of the Luthra brothers.
The Luthra brothers had filed a petition in a Delhi court, seeking interim relief from arrest, arguing that their trip to Thailand was related to a business meeting and they did not escape. The court dismissed the petition, refusing to grant any relaxation on Wednesday.
The police have said that the tickets of the accused were booked during the fire incident, when they, along with the fire department and others, were engaged in the dousing operation.
The police have called it an attempt to escape the investigation. Goa DGP Alok Kumar has described their departure as a "clear attempt to evade investigation."
On Tuesday, the Goa Police has got an Interpol Blue Corner Notice issued against both the accused.
Ban on fireworks in clubs
Following the tragic fire incident at the nightclub in Arpora, the district administration on Wednesday issued an order banning the use of firecrackers, sparklers, and fireworks inside tourist places as a precautionary measure.
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An official familiar with the matter said the order was issued under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023. According to the new order, the ban will apply to all nightclubs, bars ,and restaurants, hotel guesthouses, resorts, beach shacks, and temporary structures across North Goa.