Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of North Goa's Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, have been brought back to India from Bangkok to face a police probe regarding the deadly fire incident at their nightclub. The Luthra brothers boarded a flight to Delhi from Bangkok on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, after being deported by Thai authorities.
The brothers will be taken into custody by the Goa Police immediately upon their arrival in Delhi. They will then be produced before a Delhi court to seek a transit remand, which would allow authorities to transfer them to Goa for further investigation into the fire.
The incident occurred on December 6, when a massive fire broke out at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, claiming the lives of 25 people, including four tourists and 14 staff members. Police reports indicate the club had a narrow entry and exit, which became a major obstacle for many victims trying to escape the blaze.
Immediately following the fire, as rescue operations were underway, the Luthra brothers fled to Thailand. This action sparked outrage and raised questions about accountability, leading to an international manhunt. Indian authorities, in collaboration with Interpol, issued a Blue Corner Notice, which prompted Thai authorities to detain the brothers.
Investigations reveal the brothers booked their flight tickets to Phuket at 1:17 AM on December 7, while emergency teams were still battling the blaze. They then boarded IndiGo flight 6E 1073 from Delhi to Phuket, departing at 5:30 AM the same morning.
The Goa Police have booked the brothers for fleeing the country while authorities were managing the fire and rescuing trapped guests. The Indian government also suspended their passports, rendering their stay in Thailand unlawful.
The Goa police probe has uncovered serious regulatory lapses at the nightclub, which investigators say operated illegally for nearly 18 months without mandatory permissions and on an expired license. A preliminary investigation suggests that electric firecrackers set off during an event ignited the wooden ceiling, causing the fire to rapidly spread. Furthermore, officials found widespread use of flammable décor materials, minimal fire safety mechanisms, and a complete lack of fire extinguishers. The club also lacked a functional fire exit, which dramatically hindered evacuation.
The police have also been recording statements from the excise department and individuals associated with the local panchayat body. The magisterial inquiry committee has questioned Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar, the original landowner of the property, and has summoned more than 100 people to participate in the investigation. Statements of at least 20 individuals have been recorded so far.
Earlier, on December 11, a Delhi court rejected the anticipatory bail pleas filed by Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra. The Goa Police counsel argued that the brothers falsely claimed minimal involvement in the business and that their foreign travel was pre-planned. The police presented documents contradicting these claims, including an FSSAI application filed by Saurabh Luthra, a Pollution Control Board application, and GST records listing both brothers and Ajay Gupta as partners in the business.
With the Luthra brothers in custody, the investigation is expected to intensify, focusing on the regulatory failures and potential negligence that led to the tragic loss of life.
