Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra
NEW DELHI: Goa Police DIG (C&R) Varsha Sharma on Monday said that Look Out Circulars (LoCs) have been issued against the owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, the north Goa nightclub where 25 people died in a fire, as they are currently not in India.In a detailed briefing, DIG Varsha Sharma shared updates on the investigation, stating that the owners, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, are currently in Thailand and that Look Out Circulars (LoCs) have been issued against them. She said, “It was a very painful accident in which 25 people lost their lives. To identify the bodies, conduct post-mortem, timely handover of the bodies to the relatives and alongside carrying out the investigation…The accused were immediately charged and arrested. We took immediate action against the owners by issuing LOC against them.”“We have come to know that the club owners are in Phuket, and we are taking action with the help of CBI and Interpol. Our teams are present in Delhi. We are issuing advisories and guidelines to restaurants, conducting foot patrolling in view of the upcoming season. Total of 21 bodies have been handed over, 2 are remaining…”, said Sharma. “An LoC has been issued against them (Luthra brothers). They are not in India. We are taking the help of Interpol and CBI to bring them back,” she added.She further identified Ajay Gupta, the co-owner and partner, as another accused, adding, “we have issued a Look Out Circular notice against him.”Police confirmed that after the FIR was registered, teams were sent to New Delhi to raid the residences and offices of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, but the brothers were not found. Notices were posted at their properties, and information from the Bureau of Immigration in Mumbai confirmed they had left India.The first image of Gaurav Luthra has now emerged after he was spotted at Phuket airport in Thailand.Meanwhile, the fifth accused, Bharat Kohli, was arrested by Delhi Police’s crime branch from his North Delhi residence in Sabzi Mandi and handed over to Goa authorities.Four staff members—the chief general manager, general manager, bar manager, and gate manager—have also been arrested and remanded to police custody. FIRs have been filed against the Luthra brothers, who run the Birch and Romeo Lane chain of nightclubs.The Goa government has ordered a magisterial inquiry, formed a multi-agency committee, and sought a report on procedural lapses within a week. Police have completed autopsies and returned all 25 bodies—20 staff members and five tourists, including four from Delhi—to their families.