The Luthra brothers, Gaurav and Saurabh, co-owners of the Goa nightclub 'Birch by Romeo Lane' where a devastating fire claimed the lives of 25 people, are set to be brought back to Delhi from Thailand today. The brothers had fled to Thailand shortly after the incident, as emergency teams were still working to contain the blaze.

Following the fire on December 6, 2025, which occurred during a show at the Arpora, North Goa venue, the Luthra brothers booked flight tickets to Thailand. The Goa Police investigation revealed that the brothers made the booking on the MakeMyTrip platform at 1:17 am on December 7, while firefighting operations were ongoing. This prompted Indian authorities to coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Bangkok and Thai immigration and law enforcement to track their movements. A joint operation led to their detention at a hotel in Bangkok.

The Ministry of External Affairs is examining a request from the Goa Government to revoke the passports of Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra. The deportation process was initiated after the MEA suspended their passports, making them illegal residents in Thailand.

Initially, the possibility of extradition was considered; however, Indian authorities opted for deportation, which is a faster process. India and Thailand have an extradition treaty, but deportation theoretically allows for a quicker return. The brothers' passports were suspended, which created a temporary obstacle, as they needed an Emergency Travel Certificate from the Indian embassy before legally leaving Thailand.

Upon arrival in Delhi, the Luthra brothers will be taken into custody by the Goa Police. They will face charges in India for operating without necessary safety permits. The First Information Report (FIR) includes charges against the brothers for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, acts endangering life and personal safety, and negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter.

The police have also been investigating other aspects related to the nightclub's operations. Statements have been recorded from five members of the village panchayat of Arpora, which is under scrutiny for granting a trade license to the establishment in 2023 without a valid construction license and an occupancy certificate. The trade license had expired in March 2024, but other departments issued permissions based on the panchayat's license.

The investigation has also uncovered worrying details such as the use of flammable materials, lack of fire exits, and the absence of fire extinguishers.