From Inferno to Extradition: Luthra Brothers Brought Back to India after Goa Nightclub Tragedy
The Luthra brothers, owners of a Goa nightclub where a fire killed 25, have been deported from Thailand. Investigations reveal shocking safety violations and attempted flight from justice.
Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of the ill-fated Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, are being repatriated to India after being deported from Thailand. The brothers, whose establishment became the epicentre of a devastating blaze that claimed 25 lives, were spotted boarding an IndiGo aircraft from Bangkok, visuals of which were accessed by NDTV. The flight, numbered 6E1064, is scheduled to depart at 1:45 pm IST.
Upon arrival in Delhi, the duo will be produced before the Patiala House Court, where investigating agencies intend to seek transit remand. Both men face grave charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and gross negligence.
Investigators allege that the Luthras fled India within hours of the catastrophe. At the time of the fire, they were reportedly attending a wedding in Delhi. According to officials, the moment they grasped the enormity of the disaster, they initiated a swift escape plan, contacting staff at their Model Town office to secure international tickets, retrieving critical documents from their residence, and departing for Phuket on an IndiGo flight.
Their attempted disappearance unravelled on December 9, when the brothers stepped out of their Phuket hotel for a meal. This seemingly mundane outing proved pivotal. Thai authorities, alerted through international coordination, identified them as individuals wanted by Indian law enforcement. After verifying their identities and travel records, Thai officials initiated deportation proceedings.
The Goa Club Inferno
What was meant to be an electrifying musical soirée in Goa spiralled into carnage earlier this month. Disturbing footage captured towering flames and suffocating smoke engulfing the nightclub. One viral clip shows a dancer performing to the iconic Mehbooba Mehbooba as the first tongues of fire creep across the ceiling, moments before panic erupted.
Preliminary findings paint a damning picture. Officials describe the venue as a combustible deathtrap, riddled with violations. The club allegedly lacked emergency exits, functional fire extinguishers, or alarm systems. The approach road was reportedly too constricted for fire tenders, further delaying rescue efforts. Despite repeated warnings, management failed to rectify these perilous omissions. Investigators also revealed that the nightclub was operating without valid licenses and statutory clearances.
Arrests and Expanding Probe
So far, four staff members, including the club manager, have been arrested. Authorities have also summoned officials from multiple government departments responsible for granting permits and licences, signalling a widening investigation.
A third partner, Ajay Gupta, was apprehended in Delhi. Though he initially claimed to be a “silent partner,” police allege he was, in fact, the most operationally dominant co-owner. Gupta fled Goa hours after the incident and switched off his phone upon reaching Delhi, prompting a lookout circular. He was eventually traced to the Institute of Brain and Spine in Lajpat Nagar, where he had admitted himself in an alleged attempt to evade arrest.
As the investigation deepens, the tragedy continues to expose a chilling nexus of negligence, regulatory apathy, and attempted evasion, leaving grieving families still waiting for justice.
