Transit and procedural formalities executed under close police watch; media access restricted
Police escorting the Luthra brothers for a medical check-up at the Siolim Primary Health Centre.
MAPUSA
Amid watertight security and tightly controlled court proceedings, the Luthra brothers – alleged accused in the deadly Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire – were flown from Delhi to Goa on Wednesday, culminating in a Mapusa court granting five days of police custody.
Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, accused in the December 6 fire incident that claimed 25 lives, were brought to Goa by a special police team on a transit visa. The team landed at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, around 10.30 am, where the airport premises were heavily cordoned off as the brothers were swiftly escorted into waiting vehicles.
From the airport, the police convoy headed straight to the Siolim Primary Health Centre for a mandatory medical check-up and later to the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa. Following the medical procedures, the brothers were brought to the Anjuna Police Station around 2 pm.
The station resembled a virtual fortress, with restricted entry and police personnel manning both gates. A police car cavalcade drove past waiting media persons and entered the premises directly, escorting the accused inside.
After completing procedural formalities, the Luthra brothers were produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Mapusa, for remand.
The remand proceedings witnessed high drama as entry was denied to several media personnel.
During the hearing, the accused once again cited health issues, prompting the JMFC to direct the police to take them for a second medical examination at the district hospital.
After the medical certificates were submitted, the court granted five days of police custody, even as the prosecution sought 10 days.
By evening, the brothers were shifted to the Anjuna police lock-up, where they will remain in custody as investigations into the tragic nightclub blaze continue.
The December 6 fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub has emerged as one of Goa’s deadliest nightlife disasters, exposing glaring lapses in fire safety, licensing and enforcement.
As police now have five days with the accused, the focus will be on whether accountability will extend beyond arrests to officials and systems that allowed a packed nightclub to operate despite fatal vulnerabilities.
Accused taken for 3 medical check-ups within five hours
MAPUSA: In a series of rapid medical examinations on Wednesday, accused brothers Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra were taken for medical check-ups thrice within five hours following their arrival in Goa.
The brothers landed at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, at around 10.30 am and were immediately escorted by a police convoy to the Siolim Primary Health Centre for a mandatory medical examination.
During the check-up, the accused reportedly complained of chest and back pain, following which they were referred to the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa.
Heavy police deployment was witnessed at the district hospital as the duo underwent further medical examinations.
After completion of the procedures, the Luthra brothers were brought to the Anjuna Police Station at around 2 pm.
They were produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court in Mapusa at approximately 3.30 pm. During the hearing, Saurabh Luthra informed the court that he was suffering from a tailbone fracture, while Gaurav Luthra claimed numbness in his left leg and sought special accommodation on medical grounds.
Citing their health conditions, the accused pleaded that they should not be remanded to police custody. Alternatively, they demanded special accommodation and a mattress if police custody was granted.
Taking note of the submissions, the court directed the police to conduct a fresh medical examination to verify the claims made by the accused.
At around 3.45 pm, the police escorted the brothers back to the North Goa District Hospital, where medical officers examined them and subsequently certified both accused as medically fit.
Following the medical opinion, the court rejected the demands raised by the accused and remanded them to police custody.
The court, however, directed the police to ensure that all medicines prescribed by doctors are provided to the accused during custody.
