Nightclub fire: Luthras denied interim relief; Ajay Gupta arrested
PANAJI/NEW DELHI, Dec 10: A Delhi court on Wednesday denied interim protection from arrest to Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the Goa nightclub where a fire killed 25 people, as their partner Ajay Gupta was arrested. The Luthras, currently in Thailand, claimed their trip was for business and argued they were licensees, not owners. Saurabh sought four weeks of anticipatory protection, citing threats to his life and property, but the court posted the matter for Thursday. Interpol has issued a Blue Corner notice against the brothers, who reportedly booked their Phuket tickets within an hour of the fire. Goa Police arrested Gupta, a silent partner, and secured a 36-hour transit remand for his transfer to Goa, ensuring medical care for his spinal injury. Five managers and staff have already been detained. Following the incident, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a major safety drive, including inspections of tourism establishments, stricter fire safety audits, and new protocols for adventure sports and crowd management ahead of Christmas and New Year. (PTI)
Two deaths in Hyderabad linked to anaesthetic; five booked
HYDERABAD, Dec 10: Hyderabad Police have booked five people, including neurosurgeon S. Jaipal Reddy, his assistant Mohammed Vikaruddin, and ward boy Choude Akash, in connection with the deaths of two men from anaesthetic overdose. The victims, Syed Irfan and Jahangir Khan, died after taking Atranium 25 mg injections, which were stolen from ABS Hospital due to negligence in securing leftover vials. Akash stole and sold the injections, which were then circulated among drug users. Investigations revealed a chain of illegal procurement involving several individuals, with surviving user Saif Bin Akram providing key testimony. The accused have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The hospital management also violated the Drugs and Cosmetics Act by failing to generate proper bills for the controlled substance. (IANS)
