Luthra Brothers Detained In Thailand Over Goa Nightclub Tragedy: Sources

Phuket, Thailand – Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the Romeo Lane chain of restaurants, have been detained in Thailand following a deadly fire at their Goa nightclub, "Birch by Romeo Lane," which claimed the lives of 25 people. Sources confirm that deportation proceedings to India are underway.

The Luthra brothers fled to Phuket, Thailand, hours after the fire that ravaged their nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, on December 6. The brothers are now facing charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence in connection to the incident.

According to reports, the Luthra brothers booked flight tickets to Thailand via MakeMyTrip at 1:17 am on December 7, while emergency teams were still battling the blaze and attempting to rescue individuals trapped inside the nightclub. This detail has sparked outrage, with officials noting that the brothers were preparing to flee the country as rescue operations were underway.

The swift action by authorities follows mounting pressure to bring the Luthra brothers to justice. In the wake of the tragedy, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is reviewing a request from the Goa government to revoke the passports of Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra. Prior to their apprehension, a Blue Corner Notice was issued by Interpol at the request of the CBI. The suspension of their passports further prevented the brothers from traveling beyond Phuket.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has assured the public that the Luthra brothers will be imprisoned upon their return to India. Top Goa government officials are expected to convene to discuss the strategy for arresting and bringing the Luthra brothers back to Goa following their deportation.

Meanwhile, in India, authorities have taken swift action, arresting Ajay Gupta, who claimed to be a silent partner and investor in the nightclub. Gupta was apprehended in Delhi and transported to Goa on transit remand for further questioning. Furthermore, a lookout notice has been issued against another partner, Surinder Kumar Khosla, a British national.

Several staff members of 'Birch by Romeo Lane' have already been arrested, including chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur, and employee Bharat Kohli.

The fire at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' broke out around midnight on December 6, quickly engulfing the venue and resulting in the tragic loss of 25 lives. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a magistrate-level inquiry into the incident.