In a powerful display of anguish and demand for justice, families of the victims who perished in the tragic 2022 Goa nightclub fire staged a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Their central demand is severe punishment for the establishment's owners, the Luthra brothers, whom they hold directly responsible for the incident that claimed multiple lives.
Families Demand Maximum Punishment
The protesters, who traveled from Goa, are seeking the death penalty for brothers Vishal and Ritesh Luthra, the owners of the now-defunct 'Cafe' and adjacent 'Down Town' pub in Baina, Vasco. They argue that the negligence and illegal construction by the owners led to the devastating fire. The families expressed deep frustration with the slow pace of the judicial process, feeling that justice is being delayed and, consequently, denied.
One of the grieving family members, whose son was among the deceased, made an emotional appeal. "We want nothing less than the death penalty for the accused. They took away our children, our future. We have been running from pillar to post for two years, but the case is moving at a snail's pace," they stated. The protest aimed to draw the attention of central authorities and the public to their prolonged struggle.
The Tragic Incident and Its Aftermath
The catastrophic fire broke out in the early hours of October 15, 2022, at the two adjoining establishments in Vasco da Gama. The inferno resulted in the deaths of several individuals, with many others sustaining serious injuries. Preliminary investigations pointed to severe safety lapses and illegal modifications to the building structure, which trapped patrons inside and hampered rescue efforts.
Following the incident, the Goa police arrested the Luthra brothers and charged them under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. However, the legal proceedings have been protracted, causing immense distress to the victims' families who are yet to see a conclusive verdict.
A Call for Expedited Justice and Systemic Change
Beyond demanding capital punishment for the accused, the protesters also highlighted broader issues. They called for stricter enforcement of fire safety norms across commercial establishments and more accountability from local municipal and licensing authorities. The tragedy in Goa is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger problem where safety regulations are often flouted for commercial gain.
The protest at the national protest site, Jantar Mantar, symbolizes their attempt to escalate the matter to a national platform. "We will not rest until we get justice. If needed, we will protest outside the Prime Minister's office," declared a determined family member. Their sit-in demonstration underscores a relentless pursuit for accountability and a hope to prevent such preventable disasters in the future.
The case continues to be a stark reminder of the consequences of negligence and the long, painful road families must travel in search of closure and justice.
