Goa nightclub fire that killed 25: Luthra brothers granted bail ‘with usual conditions’

Advocate Parag Rao, who represented the Luthras, told the media, “It is a conditional bail, with the usual conditions. We do not have a copy of the judgment. Once the judgment copy is available, we will know on what grounds it has been granted.”

The Luthra brothers and the club’s partners, manager, event organiser and other managing staff were booked under charges of culpable homicide in the first FIR, lodged on December 7. The FIR said the restaurant was operating without obtaining the requisite licences and that the accused persons, “without taking proper care and caution, without providing fire safety equipment and other safety gadgets, organised a fire show at their restaurant/club”. It also stated that they did so “in spite of having full knowledge that organising such a show may lead to serious fire accidents”.

Earlier last week, a court in Goa had rejected the anticipatory bail plea of the brothers in connection with an FIR of alleged forgery and cheating, where they are accused of forging a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Health Office and using it to obtain excise and other licences and permissions to run the nightclub. Following the court’s order, the brothers were taken into custody by Mapusa police on Monday.

In February, while rejecting the bail plea of the brothers, the court had observed that they had shown complete disregard for the lives of their employees and patrons by travelling to Phuket immediately after the fire at the nightclub. The court said that the catastrophe was not a mere accident, “but the foreseeable consequence of a patent failure to install essential fire safety measures mandated by law, coupled with a reckless disregard for the safety of patrons and staff”.

Pavneet Singh Chadha is the Goa Correspondent of The Indian Express. His reporting focuses intensely on the state of Goa, covering major developments in politics, governance, and significant local events, which establishes his high degree of Expertise and Authority in the region. Expertise Geographic Expertise: As the Goa correspondent, Pavneet provides on-the-ground, comprehensive coverage of Goa's political, social, and cultural landscape, ensuring readers receive timely and localized insights. Key Coverage Focus: His recent work demonstrates deep investigative capabilities and a focus on high-impact stories, including: Investigative Reporting: Extensive coverage of complex events such as major incidents (e.g., the Goa nightclub fire), tracing the legal, political, and safety lapses involved. Government and Law Enforcement: Detailed tracking of police actions, deportations, and legal proceedings related to significant local cases. Policy and Governance: Reporting on the judiciary (e.g., Goa High Court flagging illegal structures) and the actions of government departments. He tweets @pub_neat ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd