Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of Goa’s Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, are being brought back to India after being deported from Thailand. Their return marks a significant development in the investigation into a devastating nightclub fire that killed 25 people earlier this month.
A video that surfaced from a Thailand airport shows the Luthra brothers walking alongside officials, marking the beginning of their journey back to face legal proceedings. The duo had fled to Thailand shortly after the tragic December 6 fire at their nightclub in Arpora, North Goa.
Officials confirmed that upon landing in India, both brothers will be taken into custody at Delhi airport for further legal proceedings. Their return follows a series of coordinated international actions by Indian authorities.
Days after the fire, the Goa Police issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against the brothers to prevent them from leaving the country, but they had already fled. Subsequently, Interpol issued a Blue Corner Notice to track their international location.
The Goa government then requested the cancellation of their passports, a move that ultimately led to their detention in Thailand and subsequent deportation. The legal pathway for their arrest was cleared when a Delhi court recently refused to grant them interim protection from arrest, paving the way for police to take them into custody immediately upon arrival.
The case centers on the catastrophic fire that engulfed the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa on December 6. The blaze claimed 25 lives—20 staff members and five tourists—and left six others injured.
Initial investigations suggest that fireworks used inside the club during an event may have triggered the fire. According to fire officials, most victims died from suffocation after becoming trapped inside the venue.
Authorities have highlighted serious safety concerns about the nightclub’s design and infrastructure. The venue reportedly had narrow exits and a small access bridge, which severely hampered evacuation efforts and delayed rescue operations. Additionally, fire engines faced accessibility issues, having to be stationed far from the building, which further slowed emergency response.
As the Luthra brothers return to India, investigators are expected to question them extensively about safety protocols, licensing, and the circumstances that led to one of Goa’s deadliest nightclub disasters. The case has raised serious questions about fire safety compliance in entertainment venues across the popular tourist destination.
The victims’ families and the public await justice as the legal process moves forward, hoping for accountability and stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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