Nightclub fire: Goa Police issue LOC against two persons; illegal beach shack demolished

LUTHRA BROTHERS FLEE TO THAILAND; CBI INITIATES EXTRADITION EFFORTS

- NARESH BISWANI

Goa Police on Tuesday issued a Look Out Circular against two individuals linked to the Arpora nightclub where a catastrophic fire on Saturday night killed 25 people. The action followed the revelation that the venue's two principal owners had left India for Phuket in Thailand within hours of the incident.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Varsha Sharma said the LOC names Ajay Gupta and Surinder Kumar Khosla, a British national, who are both believed to be associated with the ownership of the nightclub known as Birch by Romeo Lane. She confirmed that parallel efforts are underway to track down owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who fled to Thailand soon after the blaze.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, an Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued to collect information on the Luthra brothers.

Sharma told reporters that assistance from Interpol is being sought through the CBI. "All attempts are being made to get them back to India," she said, adding that the search for the absconding men began immediately after the fire.