Two owners of a nightclub in Goa, India, have been detained in Thailand in connection with a fire that caused 25 fatalities. The incident took place at the Birch By Romeo Lane club earlier this week.
Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, identified as the club's owners, were apprehended in Phuket, Thailand. Nagesh Singh, India's ambassador to Thailand, confirmed the detention and stated that the individuals are to be repatriated to India.
Prior to their detention, a court in Delhi refused to grant the brothers protection from arrest. The Goa government had also approached India's external affairs ministry to revoke their passports. The individuals have not issued public statements; however, their lawyer informed the court that they are being targeted in what was described as a "witch hunt".