The high-profile investigation into the devastating Goa nightclub fire that killed 25 people took an unexpected medical turn on Wednesday. Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane venue, were rushed for a medical check-up shortly after their heavily guarded return to the state.
A Sudden Health Scare Upon Landing
The Luthra brothers landed in Goa around 11 am on Wednesday, nearly 11 days after the December 6 blaze triggered nationwide outrage. They were brought from Delhi under a heavy police escort and were scheduled to be produced before a local court. However, one of the siblings complained of chest pain and uneasiness soon after arrival, leading to an immediate hospital visit.
This medical episode added a new layer of complexity to the legal proceedings. Police officials stated that further steps in Goa would now depend on medical advice, even as the core investigation into alleged safety lapses and criminal liability continues unabated.
The Cross-Border Hunt and Arrest
The brothers' return to India was the culmination of an intense international manhunt. They had fled India within hours of the fire, travelling to Thailand. Their Indian passports were subsequently suspended, leading to their detention and deportation.
To facilitate their return, Indian authorities issued emergency certificates—one-way travel documents—through the Indian embassy in Thailand. A Goa Police team finally arrested Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday afternoon after they arrived from Bangkok on an IndiGo flight.
A Delhi court granted Goa Police a 48-hour transit remand, which allowed the authorities to fly the accused back to the state where the tragedy unfolded.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
The focus of the probe remains firmly on determining the causes behind one of Goa's deadliest fires. Investigators are examining multiple angles, including potential violations of safety norms and building codes at the upscale nightclub.
The health of the accused has introduced a temporary variable, but authorities emphasize that the investigation is proceeding on all other fronts. The court in Goa is expected to address the matter of police custody once the brothers are medically cleared to appear.
The tragic incident at Birch by Romeo Lane has put a spotlight on enforcement of safety regulations in commercial establishments across the state, promising stricter scrutiny in the future.
