Deported owners face interrogation as police probe deadly nightclub tragedy.

Today morning, Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, the owners of 'Birch by Romeo Lane,' were escorted from New Delhi to Goa by law enforcement officials. This transfer occurred shortly after a Delhi court approved a 48-hour transit remand, allowing the Goa Police to take custody of the accused for further interrogation.

The Luthra brothers, who had allegedly fled the country following the incident, were apprehended at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport upon their deportation from Thailand.

During the hearing at the Patiala House Court, Goa Police officials stressed the urgency of moving the accused to the coastal state. They argued that the physical presence of the owners is vital for the ongoing probe into the devastating blaze that claimed 25 lives on December 6. Prosecutors detailed that the catastrophe was triggered by a pyrotechnic display conducted inside the venue, which reportedly lacked essential fire safety equipment and emergency protocols.

Investigators informed Duty Metropolitan Magistrate Twinkle Chawla that the Luthra brothers held ultimate authority over the club's operations, including event permissions and safety compliance. The police emphasised that crucial evidence, specifically licensing documents, internal communications, and event clearances, has yet to be recovered. Furthermore, authorities stated that they are still working to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy behind the negligence that led to the mass casualties.

Noting that the accused had attempted to evade the law by escaping abroad, the court found sufficient grounds to grant the transit remand. The magistrate directed the investigating officer to ensure the safety of the accused during the journey and to present them before the competent court in Goa without delay.

Additionally, the court acknowledged the medical status of the brothers, confirming they were fit for travel, and ordered that they be provided with necessary medication while in transit. Advocate Surjendu Shankar Das, representing the Goa state government, confirmed that following the court's order, the process to transport the accused to Goa for detailed questioning has commenced.