Goa fire tragedy: MEA examines revoking passports of Luthra brothers amid probe

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is examining a request from the Goa Government to revoke the passports of the Luthra brothers, Gaurav and Saurabh, accused in the Goa fire tragedy that occurred on Sunday. MEA has received a communication from the Government of Goa regarding Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra. “It is examining the request to revoke the passports under the Passports Act of India, as per existing rules,” sources said.

A fire engulfed the ‘Birch’ pub at Romeo Lane in Arpora, a coastal town, during a midnight party, killing at least 25 persons. The Luthra brothers and Ajay Gupta owned the nightclub. Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the nightclub, had fled to Thailand amid the investigation, anticipating their arrest in the case.

Meanwhile, they approached a court in Delhi today, seeking to return to India and anticipatory bail. In their petition, the Luthra brothers argued that criminal liability cannot be pinned on them since they were not present at the nightclub when the fire erupted. The court, however, refused any immediate relief to the accused brothers and sought a response from the police. The case will be taken up again tomorrow.

Four other staff members at the nightclub, including a manager, have already been arrested.