The Ministry of External Affairs is weighing a request from the Goa government to revoke the passports of Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the nightclub where 25 people died in a fire on December 6
The Ministry of External Affairs is weighing a request from the Goa government to revoke the passports of Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the nightclub where 25 people died in a fire on December 6.
According to a PTI report, citing sources on Wednesday, the ministry has received a communication from the Goa government with regard to Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra.
It is examining the request to revoke their passports under the Passports Act of India, in accordance with the rules, the report added.
Brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in North Goa, travelled to Phuket, Thailand shortly after the December 6 fire, prompting authorities to issue an Interpol Blue Corner Notice for their whereabouts.
A Delhi court on Wednesday declined to grant interim protection from arrest to the duo, even as their business partner was taken into custody in connection with the incident.
In court, the Luthras’ lawyer rejected claims that they had absconded, saying the trip was for a business meeting and arguing that the brothers were only licence holders, not the nightclub’s actual owners.
Goa Police have already arrested five managers and staff members as part of their investigation into the blaze, which erupted around midnight at the Arpora-based club, located about 25 km from Panaji.
With inputs from agencies
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