GOA DEC11: A Goa court on Thursday remanded Ajay Gupta, who describes himself as a silent partner and investor in the fire-hit nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’, to seven days in police custody.Gupta was arrested in Delhi on Wednesday and brought to Goa later that evening on a transit remand for questioning at Anjuna police station.
He was produced before a court in Mapusa, about 9 km from Panaji, which granted the police seven days’ custody after investigators had sought 10 days.
Gupta’s lawyer, Rohan Desai, said his client is fully cooperating with the investigation despite the longer custody sought by the police.
While being escorted into a police vehicle, Gupta told reporters he had no role in the incident, claiming he was only a “sleeping partner” with no involvement in the nightclub’s operatio
The blaze at the North Goa nightclub around midnight on December 6 claimed 25 lives, including 20 staff members and five tourists.
Five managers and staff members have already been arrested in connection with the fire at the Arpora-based establishment, located about 25 km from Panaji
Authorities had earlier issued a Look Out Circular against Gupta before his arrest.
Co-owner brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who reportedly travelled to Phuket in Thailand soon after the incident, have been detained there following the issuance of an Interpol Blue Corner Notice.
