‘Just a partner’: Goa nightclub co-owner’s 1st reaction after detention; hunt on for Luthras

NEW DELHI: Goa Police person detained Ajay Gupta, a co-owner of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, aft a devastating occurrence astatine the Arpora constitution killed 25 people. Gupta, who was held successful Delhi connected Tuesday, insisted helium had nary relation successful the day-to-day moving of the club.

“I americium conscionable a partner. I don’t cognize anything,” helium said soon aft being picked up, pursuing a Lookout Circular issued against him.The apprehension comes arsenic investigators widen their hunt for the club’s superior owners, brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who fled to Phuket hours aft the blaze. Interpol has issued a Blue Corner Notice to assistance hint them, and officers accidental this was processed unusually quickly. Goa Police are coordinating with the CBI and Interpol, and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said a squad volition beryllium sent to Thailand to bring the accused back.The Bureau of Immigration earlier informed constabulary that the Luthras boarded IndiGo formation 6E 1073 from Delhi to Phuket connected Sunday morning. A announcement seeking an mentation for wherefore their passports should not beryllium impounded has been issued by the determination passport office. A Blue Corner Notice has besides been issued against the spot owner, British nationalist Surinder Kumar Khosla.Gupta is expected to beryllium flown to Goa connected Wednesday and placed nether apprehension erstwhile formalities are complete.

Five others connected with the nightclub — main wide manager Rajiv Modak, wide manager Vivek Singh, barroom manager Rajiv Singhania, gross manager Riyanshu Thakur and worker Bharat Kohli — person already been arrested.Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte called the occurrence “a precise tragic episode”, saying accountability indispensable beryllium fixed and that an enquiry should present a factual report. On Tuesday, the territory medication besides demolished portion of the Romeo Lane edifice successful Vagator, owned by the Luthras, citing amerciable construction.