Goa Nightclub Fire: Luthra Brothers Seek Mattress During Custody

NEW DELHI: Advocate Vishnu Joshi, representing a family affected by the Goa nightclub fire, revealed on Wednesday that one of the Luthra brothers has requested a Dunlop mattress while in police custody. Joshi elaborated that the court closely examined the health claims made by the brothers before deciding on their custody arrangement.

During a court appearance, one of the accused asserted that he suffers from spinal issues and other health concerns. "He requested that they be provided with a Dunlop mattress during their police remand. The state opposed this request, citing their fitness as determined by a medical examination," Joshi stated.

The advocate indicated that the Luthra brothers have been attempting to evade legal accountability since fleeing India shortly after the incident. "Since the Luthra brothers absconded and left the country, they have been employing various tactics to avoid legal repercussions. Initially, they filed an anticipatory bail application in the Rohini Court, which lacked jurisdiction. That application was dismissed, and they have since been attempting to secure any form of leniency," Joshi noted.

The court took into account the brothers’ claims of back pain before ordering their custody. Joshi added, "The court considered all submissions and directed the police to conduct a pre-medical examination and a subsequent re-examination. No medical necessity was found, leading the court to grant five days of police remand for questioning purposes."

The Luthra brothers, identified as the owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, were remanded to five days in police custody by the Mapusa Judicial Magistrate First Class court. They were returned to Goa from Thailand after being deported and subsequently presented in court following multiple medical evaluations.

Upon their arrival at Manohar International Airport in Mopa under police escort at approximately 10:45 am, the brothers were taken to a primary health centre in Siolim before being transferred to the District Hospital in Mapusa. Fresh medical examinations were mandated by the court prior to granting their five-day custody, which allows investigators to interrogate them regarding alleged safety violations at the nightclub.

The fire broke out on December 6 around 11:45 pm during a packed event at the nightclub, reportedly triggered by electric firecrackers that ignited the wooden ceiling. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals, including both tourists and staff members, with many others suffering injuries.

Police reported that the Luthra brothers fled India on December 7, mere hours after the incident, heading to Thailand while rescue efforts were still ongoing. Goa Police subsequently launched a nationwide and international manhunt, issuing a lookout circular and requesting an Interpol Blue Notice.

After being detained by Thai authorities for illegal residency and having their passports suspended, the brothers were deported to India using emergency travel documents. They arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Tuesday, where they were taken into custody by Goa Police, who had obtained a 48-hour transit remand from a Delhi court to facilitate their return to Goa.

The Luthra brothers face multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence. Authorities have also arrested several individuals associated with the nightclub's operations, as investigations continue into claims that the venue was operating with expired licenses and lacked essential safety clearances.