'Victim of authorities' vindictive behavior': Goa club owners tell court
'Victim of authorities' vindictive behavior': Goa club owners tell court
The Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav, have approached a Delhi court seeking protection from arrest in connection with the Arpora club fire incident on December 7.
The fire at their establishment, Birch by Romeo Lane, killed 25 people.
The duo is currently in Thailand and fears returning to India due to possible arrest.
In court, they claimed that they do not run day-to-day operations of the club as they are managed by the on-ground and restaurant managers.
Luthra brothers seek protection from arrest
The Luthra brothers are represented by senior advocates Sidharth Luthra and Tanvir Ahmed Mir.
The lawyers argued that their clients should be protected from arrest on their return to India.
"I am seeking relief to come back to this country and approach court in goa that does not prejudice them unless they don't want to come. It is unfortunate people passed away, but witch hunting is what i am concerned about," their lawyer told the court."
They refute reports that they fled right after fire
They also refuted reports that they fled to Thailand just hours after the fire, with Saurabh claiming that he went abroad for a business meeting a day before the fire erupted.
Reports claimed that the brothers fled to Phuket, Thailand, hours after the incident aboard an IndiGo flight.
The Goa Police is now seeking to revoke the passports of the brothers from their regional passport office in Delhi.
A Blue Corner Notice has also been issued against them by Interpol.
Luthra brothers' claim of vindictive actions
The Luthra brothers also highlighted that their second club in Goa was demolished, which shows "the vindictive nature of the actions of the authorities against the applicant."
The demolition was ordered by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant after it was found that the property had been illegally constructed and lacked safety measures.
The court has sought a response from the Goa government regarding the transit anticipatory bail plea filed by the Luthra brothers.