goa

On 23rd April, a group of Hindu activists arrived at the Mapusa Police Station and submitted a complaint against several Christian individuals for making derogatory comments about Hindu deities and hurting religious sentiments. The complaint named two individuals identified as Babit Fernandes and Elesban Mark Mascarenhas.

The FIR also mentioned that the accused had organised a fire show at the venue without adequate safety measures.

Investigators said he claimed to have a pattern of befriending foreign nationals, mostly women from Russia.

Khosla, a UK national, owns the land on which the nightclub was operating from what police have described as an “unauthorised structure.”

The Police also informed the court that the accused cited false medical grounds and that they were running the club without a license.

Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa where a fire claimed 25 lives, are believed held in Thailand. The Indian government has started efforts to bring them back for trial, including canceling their passports. Goa police have also arrested five club managers amid ongoing investigations.

Police have now asked the CBI's Interpol Division for assistance in tracking down and apprehending the two.

The report stated that 25 people lost their lives and 20 others were rescued during the tragedy. Most of the deaths were caused by suffocation due to toxic smoke and lack of oxygen, conditions often found in fires that occur in enclosed areas, especially basements.

The fire call was received by the Goa police control room at 12:04 am. Within minutes, the police, fire brigade and ambulances reached the club.