The Luthra brothers will be produced before the Patiala House Court, where police are expected to seek transit remand to take them to Goa for further investigation.
By PC Bureau
New Delhi, December 16, 2025 — Goa nightclub owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, wanted in connection with the deadly fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub that claimed 25 lives, were deported from Thailand and brought to India on Tuesday. The brothers landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at around 2.10 pm, where they were immediately taken into custody by the Goa Police.
The Luthras were deported from Bangkok on an emergency certificate issued by the Indian Embassy after their passports were suspended by the Government of India. They were flown to Delhi on an IndiGo flight and are expected to be produced before the Patiala House Court, where police will seek a transit remand to take them to Goa for further investigation.
According to officials, teams from the Goa Police and the Delhi Crime Branch coordinated the arrest upon the brothers’ arrival. After court proceedings in Delhi, the accused are likely to be flown to Goa later on Tuesday night.
READ: Chaos in LS over Rural Job Bill, Priyanka Gandhi Accuses Centre of Misusing Funds
READ: Congress Goes All Guns Blazing at BJP After National Herald Order
Detained in Thailand After Fleeing India
Investigators allege that the Luthra brothers fled India within hours of the December 6 fire, even as rescue operations were still underway at the nightclub in Goa. Thai authorities detained them last week for overstaying without valid travel documents. Initially held in Phuket, they were later transferred to an immigration detention centre in Bangkok.
A special team comprising officials from the CBI and Indian intelligence agencies had travelled to Phuket on Saturday to complete deportation formalities. Following the suspension of the brothers’ passports, the Indian Embassy issued a one-way emergency travel document, enabling their deportation to India.
Earlier visuals showed the Luthras wearing masks and being escorted by immigration and security personnel at the Thailand airport.
#Exclusive | First picture of Luthra Brothers back in India.@Sreya_Chattrjee @arvindojha #Delhi #GoaNightclubfire #Goa pic.twitter.com/WY1dB5rmjN
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) December 16, 2025
Passports Impounded, LOC Issued
The Regional Passport Office (RPO), New Delhi, had earlier issued notices to the brothers, seeking an explanation as to why their passports should not be impounded. Subsequently, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued, and the Ministry of External Affairs formally impounded their passports.
India and Thailand have an extradition treaty, signed in 2013 and in force since June 29, 2015. However, officials clarified that deportation was facilitated swiftly as the brothers were in Thailand illegally following the suspension of their travel documents.
Illegal Operations Under Scanner
Goa Police investigations have revealed that Birch by Romeo Lane had allegedly been operating illegally for nearly 18 months, without mandatory clearances and on an expired licence. Officials said the nightclub’s licence had not been renewed since 2024, yet no enforcement action was taken until the fatal blaze on December 6.
Authorities are also examining lapses by local agencies that allegedly failed to act despite repeated violations by the establishment.
#Exclusive | First picture of Luthra Brothers back in India.@Sreya_Chattrjee @arvindojha #Delhi #GoaNightclubfire #Goa pic.twitter.com/WY1dB5rmjN
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) December 16, 2025
Multiple Arrests Made So Far
So far, Goa Police have arrested several individuals in connection with the case, including Ajay Gupta (55), a Gurgaon-based partner of the Luthra brothers; Rajiv Modak (49), chief general manager; Priyanshu Thakur (32), gate manager; Rajveer Singhania (32), bar manager; Vivek Singh (27), general manager; and Bharat Kohli, a Delhi resident.
The arrests form part of a widening probe into alleged criminal negligence, safety violations, and regulatory failures.
Fire Triggered During Event
The fire broke out at around 11.45 pm on December 6 when over 150 tourists were attending an event at the nightclub. Preliminary findings by the police and the Directorate of Fire Services indicate that electric firecrackers used during the event struck the wooden ceiling, causing the structure to catch fire rapidly.
The blaze spread within minutes, trapping several patrons inside and leading to one of Goa’s deadliest nightclub tragedies in recent years.
With the return of the Luthra brothers to India, investigators are expected to intensify questioning to determine accountability for safety violations, illegal operations, and the circumstances that led to the deadly fire.
