The Luthra brothers were detained in Phuket , Thailand, after their passports were cancelled and Interpol issued Blue Corner Notices following Goa nightclub blaze that killed 25.
BY PC Bureau
December 12, 2025: The deportation process for Delhi-based restaurateurs Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra has begun in Thailand, marking a major step in India’s investigation into the catastrophic fire at their Goa nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, which killed at least 25 people and injured several others during the busy holiday season.
The blaze broke out past midnight during a musical night at the Arpora club, where nearly 100 people—many of them tourists—were partying. Within hours of the incident, the Luthra brothers left India, triggering accusations of evasion and prompting Goa Police to call for immediate central assistance.
Investigators believe that the fire was sparked by the use of electric firecrackers inside the packed venue. The flames spread rapidly due to highly flammable interior décor, a lack of functional extinguishers, and multiple fire safety violations, turning the club into a death trap. The scale of the tragedy shocked Goa and raised questions about regulatory enforcement in the state’s nightlife hotspots.
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Detention in Phuket After India Flags Case to Thailand
Acting on a request from Indian authorities, Thai police detained the brothers at a Phuket hotel. Photos released by Thai immigration officials showed the duo with their hands tied behind their backs, holding their passports — images that quickly circulated online and intensified public scrutiny.
The brothers were detained under immigration violations after their Indian passports were cancelled — a move that rendered them illegal residents in Thailand and strengthened India’s case for deportation. Interpol also issued Blue Corner Notices, marking them as wanted for questioning in a criminal probe.
Shift to Bangkok for Handover to Indian Officials
Thai officers are now escorting the Luthra brothers to Bangkok. Once they land at Suvarnabhumi Airport, an Indian law enforcement team is expected to take custody of them. Before that, the accused will be housed at the Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre, where they will remain while deportation documentation is processed.
Because their passports stand cancelled, the Indian Embassy in Bangkok will issue Emergency Travel Certificates, the only document that can legally allow their return to India.
Officials expect the entire process to be completed within the next 48–72 hours, and the brothers may arrive in India as early as Monday.
Senior officials described the case as “high priority,” given the magnitude of the tragedy and the public outcry over the brothers’ sudden disappearance after the incident.
The police also continue to question staff members, contractors, DJs, and event managers associated with the club as part of a widening probe into whether the venue was operating in violation of safety norms.
A Tragedy That Has Shaken Goa
The fire has triggered widespread anger across Goa, especially in the local community near Arpora, where families of victims have demanded strict action and a full audit of nightlife safety standards. Many questioned how a club located in a popular tourist belt was allowed to continue operations despite glaring safety lapses.
The Goa government has ordered a comprehensive review of all nightclubs, bars, and event spaces across the coastal belt. Multiple establishments have already come under scrutiny for outdated fire systems, lack of emergency exits, and overcrowding.
Once deported, the Luthra brothers are likely to be taken straight into police custody, where they will be formally arrested and presented before a court. Investigators hope their questioning will shed light on the sequence of events leading to the tragedy — and whether negligence, cost-cutting, or regulatory failures contributed to the deaths.
