Two brothers wanted in connection with a deadly fire at their nightclub in India's Goa state, which killed 25 people, have been detained in Thailand, India's ambassador to Thailand, Nagesh Singh, confirmed.
Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, who own Birch By Romeo Lane club, fled to Phuket shortly after the incident earlier this week. They will be sent back [to India], Mr. Singh stated on Thursday, following a Delhi court's refusal to grant them protection from arrest and as the Goa government sought the revocation of their passports.
The brothers have asserted that they never intended to evade the law and are committed to cooperating with authorities upon their return to India.
The tragedy unfolded early Sunday, when a fire broke out at the busy nightclub in the tourist-dense region of Goa. Investigators believe the blaze was sparked by fireworks being ignited within the venue.
The majority of the victims were employees of the club, while five were tourists. Authorities raided the brothers' home in Delhi within hours of the fire but discovered they had already left the country, prompting police to enlist Interpol's assistance in their capture.
The Luthra brothers, through their lawyer, have pledged to return to India and cooperate fully with law enforcement. Saurabh Luthra, who describes himself as the club's chairman on social media, expressed his sorrow via a Monday post, stating that their management would support the victims' families and offer resources to those impacted.
Further developments have seen Goa's Chief Minister Pramod Sawant report that six arrests have been made related to the incident, with more apprehensions expected as the investigation proceeds.
Goa, formerly a Portuguese colony bordered by the Arabian Sea, is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, scenic beaches, and tourist resorts.
