PANAJI
As the Goa police is carrying out legal formalities to bring the detained partner of Birch by Romeo Lane Ajay Gupta to Goa, the accused claimed he had no role in the day-to-day operations of the Arpora establishment.
Gupta was held in Delhi after a Lookout Circular was issued against him. Speaking soon after being picked up and gheraoed by the media, he maintained that his involvement was limited. “I am just a partner. I don’t know anything,” he said when asked whether he was aware of licenses.
The police team is likely to get his transit remand from the Delhi Court today, after which he will be brought to Goa and formally arrested.
His detention came as the police intensified the search for the club’s primary owners, brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who fled to Phuket within hours of the tragic fire at Birch, killing 25 on Sunday.
The Goa Police have meanwhile secured a Blue Corner Notice through Interpol to trace the duo, a process which the department claimed was completed unusually quickly.
Police are also working in coordination with the Central Bureau of Investigation and Interpol.
The chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and Bharat Kohli, who managed the entire operations, are already in custody.
