Luthra brothers (ANI photo)
NEW DELHI: The owners of Goa’s Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, where a massive fire on December 6 claimed 25 lives, were deported to India from Bangkok on Tuesday morning on “emergency certificates”.The two accused brothers, Gaurav Luthra (44) and Saurabh Luthra (40) had allegedly fled India, hours after the incident, in an attempt to abscond after the tragedy.
Arrested at Delhi airport after deportation
The Goa police formally arrested the Delhi-based brothers at the immigration control of Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday after they landed in the national capital. They arrived on an IndiGo flight in the afternoon, wearing masks and surrounded by immigration security officials, and were immediately handed over to authorities for further legal proceedings.
IPL Auction 2026
Charged with culpable homicide and negligence
The Luthra brothers are facing charges of culpable homicide and negligence in connection with the December 6 blaze at their nightclub in Arpora, North Goa. Investigators alleged that the tragedy was compounded by serious violations of mandatory fire safety norms by the management, raising questions about regulatory lapses and accountability.
What has happened so far?
Fled hours after fire
According to investigators, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra fled to Phuket in the early hours of December 7, just hours after the fire. Authorities subsequently cancelled their passports and issued an Interpol Blue Corner Notice to trace their movement.
Detained in Thailand, shifted to immigration centre
The duo was detained by Thai authorities on December 11 from Hotel Indigo Phuket’s Patong area following a request from the Union government. They were later shifted to an immigration detention centre in Bangkok as India coordinated with Thailand for their deportation under existing legal frameworks.
Delhi court rejected anticipatory bail pleas
On December 11, a Delhi court rejected the brothers’ transit anticipatory bail pleas. Additional sessions Judge Vandana termed the allegations “prima facie grave and serious” and sharply criticised the conduct of the accused. The court also noted that the brothers had booked tickets to Phuket just one hour after the fire, a fact their counsel had allegedly concealed while seeking protection from arrest.The judge observed that leaving the country immediately after the tragedy was a clear attempt to “evade the legal process”.
Extradition treaty enabled swift deportation
An extradition treaty between India and Thailand has been in force since 2015. Thai officials said due process was followed as part of cooperation between the two countries, leading to the lawful and prompt deportation of the accused.
HC converts civil suit into PIL
Observing that “someone has to be held accountable” for the tragedy, a Goa bench of the Bombay high court on Monday converted a civil suit against the nightclub into a public interest litigation, underscoring the seriousness of the incident.
Case registered under BNS
The Goa Police registered a criminal case on December 7 at the Arpora Anjuna Police Station under Sections 105, 125, 125(a), 125(b) and 287, read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.The fire broke out late on December 6 during a crowded event at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, killing 25 people, including five tourists and 20 staff members. A magisterial inquiry was ordered to determine the cause of the fire and fix responsibility for the lapses that led to the deadly incident. Go to Source
