Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, the owners of the Goa nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ where a devastating fire claimed 25 lives, have been detained in Thailand. Official sources confirmed on Thursday that the brothers are expected to be deported to India shortly to face legal proceedings.
The detention follows an international alert issued after the duo reportedly fled India immediately after the tragedy. Acting on a Blue Corner Notice issued by Interpol, Thai authorities successfully traced and apprehended the accused.
The Incident and Investigation
The fire erupted late on December 6 at the popular nightclub in Arpora, Goa. The blaze resulted in the deaths of 25 people, including five tourists and 20 staff members. The establishment is part of a chain owned by the Luthra brothers, who operate other outlets under the same brand.
According to the Goa Police, the Luthra brothers were booked on December 7 for absconding while emergency services were battling the fire and rescuing trapped guests. A Goa court subsequently issued a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) against them.
In a related development, Ajay Gupta, a co-owner of the nightclub, was brought to Goa on Thursday. Delhi’s Saket Court granted a 36-hour transit remand on December 10, allowing the Goa Police team to escort him to the Anjuna Police Station for further interrogation.
Legal Battles and Extradition
Earlier, the Delhi Police informed the Rohini Court that the Luthra brothers had left the country soon after the incident. While opposing their plea for interim protection, the State argued that the accused were deliberately evading the investigation.
However, the defence counsel claimed the brothers were apprehended upon landing in India and had initially travelled to Thailand for legitimate work reasons. They argued that the applicants were merely seeking brief transit protection to approach the competent court in Goa. The Rohini Court questioned the maintainability of their transit anticipatory bail application, noting the applicants were not within its territorial jurisdiction.
Officials remain confident about the deportation process. India and Thailand have shared an Extradition Treaty since 2013, which provides a legal framework for transferring fugitive offenders. Additionally, an agreement on transferring sentenced persons has been operational since 2012, bolstering cooperation in criminal matters between the two nations.
Government Response
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the inquiry report into the fire will be completed within eight days. The state government has also commenced distributing compensation to the victims’ families.
To prevent future tragedies, the administration is intensifying safety audits and enforcement checks at entertainment venues across the coastal state.
Understanding Interpol Notices
The Luthra brothers were traced via a Blue Notice. This notice allows Interpol member countries to collect information regarding a suspect’s identity, location, or activities during a criminal investigation. Unlike a Red Notice, which seeks the location and arrest of wanted persons for extradition, a Blue Notice primarily assists in tracking suspects globally.
