Goa nightclub fire: Luthra brothers’ deportation process from Thailand begins

The deportation of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra from Thailand is now officially in progress, following the deadly fire at their Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, Goa, which claimed 25 lives earlier this month.

Thai authorities confirmed that the brothers were detained in Phuket and transferred to the Bangkok immigration office. There, they will be handed over to Indian officials before being flown back to India to face legal proceedings.

Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of the nightclub, had fled India within hours of the tragedy on December 7, boarding an IndiGo flight while emergency crews were still battling the blaze. Their passports had been suspended by the Regional Passport Office in Delhi after they failed to respond to notices regarding their travel documents. This suspension rendered the passports invalid in Thailand, enabling authorities to act swiftly on India’s detention request.

Thai police tracked the duo using travel records, confiscated their belongings, and moved them to an immigration detention centre. Photographs released by the Thai authorities showed both men in handcuffs. They are expected to remain in custody until the deportation procedures conclude.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed that a police escort team will be dispatched to Thailand and that the brothers will be arrested immediately upon landing in India. With no direct flights between Thailand and Goa, the Luthras will first be brought to Delhi before being transported to Goa.

Investigators said the brothers booked last-minute tickets to Phuket at 1:17 am on December 7, even as firefighters struggled to contain the inferno at their club. By 5:30 am, they had boarded IndiGo flight 6E-1073 and left the country. Later that morning, Goa Police arrived in Delhi with arrest warrants, searched their residence and offices, and issued notices. Interpol also released a Blue Corner Notice to trace their movements.

The fire, which erupted around 11:45 pm on December 6, is believed to have started when electric firecrackers ignited a wooden ceiling during an event attended by over 150 people. Many managed to escape, but several were trapped in the basement after the exit route caught fire.

Police have arrested partner Ajay Gupta, 55, and five other nightclub staff members. Investigations revealed shocking violations of fire safety norms, including heavy use of flammable decor and absence of functional extinguishers.

The Luthra brothers’ deportation is being coordinated by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Thailand, and the Central Bureau of Investigation, in partnership with the Royal Thai Police. The extradition process is being facilitated under the India-Thailand treaty operational since 2015.

Upon their return to India, the Delhi-based restaurateurs will face charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence in connection with the nightclub tragedy. Their plea for anticipatory bail has already been rejected by the Delhi court.