New Delhi, Dec 11 (LatestNewsX) – The controversy surrounding the Goa nightclub blaze resurfaced in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, when Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam from Chhattisgarh urged the government to crack down on illegal clubs throughout the country.
“A horrific fire in a nightclub in Goa has resulted in the tragic deaths of 25 people, including four foreigners. This incident is extremely heartbreaking. This club was being operated illegally. Just like in Goa, nightclubs are being run illegally in other states as well. My request to the government is – take action on this,” said Netam. The party’s official social‑media channel echoed her appeal, stressing the need to prevent future tragedies by targeting illicit venues that could spark similar infernos.
Earlier investigative work by a joint task force that stretched across two nations culminated in the arrest of Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra—owners of Bangladesh’s Birch By Romeo Lane nightclub—in Thailand. The brothers fled abroad after the fatal blaze at their venue. Authorities are now proceeding with the deportation process; the pair have been placed in a detention centre in Phuket and are expected to return to India shortly. Indian officials confirmed that contact with Thai authorities was established immediately after the immigrants’ departure was reported. Once the Thai side received the details, a swift search operation was launched across the island, ultimately locating the Luthras after they had moved locations.
The duo had booked their flight through MakeMyTrip at 1:17 a.m. on 7 December, coinciding with the hour at which firefighters and police were battling the blaze and rescuing survivors from the club in Arpora, Goa. They now face legal formalities while in Thai custody, with deportation anticipated within the next day. Upon return, they will be transferred to Goa police for further inquiry, following the suspension of their passports by the Goa Police and a pending request from the Ministry of External Affairs to revoke those documents.
On Wednesday, a court in New Delhi turned down the brothers’ plea for interim protection against arrest. Their lawyer contended that the Luthras were merely on a business trip and represented only the licensing aspect of the nightclub; day‑to‑day operations, they argued, were managed by staff, thereby absolving them of direct responsibility.
In the wake of the incident, the Goa Police have detained five managers and staff involved with the nightclub. Chief Minister Promod Sawant reassured the public that a comprehensive inquiry report would be ready within eight days.
The tragedy claimed 25 lives and left six others injured when a fire erupted at the club on Saturday night, which was hosting about 100 patrons. Preliminary findings point to the excessive use of flammable décor materials as the fire’s trigger, with numerous serious violations of fire‑safety regulations uncovered.
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