Arpora club fire call at 11.45 pm, Luthras booked IndiGo ticket to Phuket at 1.17 am

Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the main accused and owners of the Goa nightclub where a massive blaze claimed 25 lives, booked tickets to Thailand within an hour of learning about the fire at their establishment, officials said on Wednesday.

According to the investigation by the Goa police, both Luthra brothers booked their tickets for Phuket in Thailand through a travel portal at 1.17 AM of December 7. At this time, police and administration were battling the blaze at the nightclub 'Birch by Romeo Lane' at Arpora in North Goa, and trying to rescue their staff.

On Wednesday, the Luthras failed to get an interim relief as a Delhi court posted their plea for an anticipatory bail for Thursday.

The two left in an IndiGo plane for Phuket in the early hours of Sunday.

Meanwhile, five managers and staff members have already been arrested by Goa Police in connection with the fire incident that took place in North Goa around midnight on December 6.

No interim relief for Luthras, ‘silent partner' Ajay Gupta arrested

A Delhi court on Wednesday refused to give any interim protection from arrest to Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra.

In the court, the Luthras' lawyer refuted allegations that they had fled, claiming the trip was for a business meeting and argued that the brothers are only licensees, not the actual owners of the nightclub.

In his bail plea, Saurabh requested four weeks of transit anticipatory protection, arguing that returning to Goa posed an "imminent threat to his life, liberty and safety" due to angry mobs.

"My other restaurants have been bulldozed. The authorities and even the fourth estate are baying for my blood," his lawyer said in the court. However, Additional Sessions Judge Vandana posted the matter for Thursday and asked Goa police to respond.

Meanwhile, new details emerged regarding the escape of Luthras, against whom an Interpol Blue Corner notice has been issued. Officials said that the duo booked their tickets for Phuket, Thailand, through a travel portal at 1:17 AM on December 7, within an hour of learning about the devastating fire.

In a related development, the Goa Police on Wednesday arrested Ajay Gupta, who claimed to be a silent partner and investor in the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in North Goa, with the help of Delhi Police Crime Branch. A Look Out Circular (LOC) had been issued against him. Gupta, a resident of Jammu, was produced before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vinod Joshi, who granted Goa Police a 36-hour transit remand to take him to Goa.

The court cited the ongoing air travel crisis caused by disrupted IndiGo flights as the reason for the extended remand window, and also directed authorities to ensure proper medical care for Gupta, who suffers from a spinal injury, during his transfer.

Five managers and staff members have already been arrested by Goa Police in connection with the fire that broke out at the nightclub located in Arpora, 25 km from Panaji, around midnight on December 6.

In Panaji, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced a major safety drive ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations.