Luthra Brothers Likely to Be Deported from Thailand After Goa Fire

Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, are set to be deported from Thailand following a tragic fire at their establishment that resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals. Officials indicate that the brothers could return to India as early as Sunday.

The Luthras reportedly fled to Phuket, Thailand, shortly after the fire broke out on December 6, 2025. They took an IndiGo flight from Delhi within hours of the incident, which occurred late on Saturday night. The nightclub, located in Arpora, North Goa, was engulfed in flames around 11.45 pm, and the brothers booked their flights just after midnight, departing at 5.30 am.

Following the incident, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs cancelled the brothers' passports at the request of Goa Police, which also initiated an Interpol Blue Corner notice against them. Police began their investigation by raiding the Luthras' homes in Delhi, but the brothers had already left the country.

A local court in Delhi denied the Luthras anticipatory bail, despite their claims of fearing for their lives in Goa. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that a joint team from the Goa Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation was dispatched to Thailand to facilitate their return.

The fire victims included a family from Delhi, consisting of three sisters and the husband of one of the sisters, who sustained injuries during the blaze. Reports suggest that while the fire raged, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra were finalising their escape plans.

According to the Goa Police, they have filed charges against the Luthra brothers and other unnamed individuals for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, endangering public safety, and negligent conduct concerning fire hazards. The police are also scrutinising the local panchayat's role in granting a trade licence to the nightclub without appropriate construction permits and an occupancy certificate. The trade licence for Birch had expired in March 2024.

Roshan Redkar, the sarpanch of Arpora, stated that the panchayat's decisions were made collectively and not by him alone. Multiple local officials have been questioned in connection to the case, and four managers from the nightclub, arrested shortly after the incident, have had their police custody extended for further interrogation.

The nightclub fire has prompted a broader scrutiny of the safety measures and licensing of nightclubs and bars in Goa, a popular tourist destination known for its nightlife. Following the tragedy, authorities have vowed to shut down establishments operating without the necessary permits. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for accountability and strict action against those responsible for the incident, advocating for a reassessment of licensing regulations in the region.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding safety standards and regulatory oversight within Goa's entertainment industry, particularly as it grapples with the balance between tourism and public safety. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring proper accountability and preventing future tragedies.