Goa nightclub fire: Luthra brothers headed to Delhi custody on Tuesday
Goa nightclub fire: Luthra brothers headed to Delhi custody on Tuesday
Goa police plan to escort Luthra brothers from Delhi after Thai detention, as the deadly Goa nightclub blaze case deepens with regulatory lapses under scrutiny.
Delhi entrepreneurs Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, fled to Thailand after a December 5 blaze in north Goa killed 25 people. Thai law enforcement detained the brothers at their Phuket hotel following a request from Indian authorities. Their passports were impounded, and India issued a Blue Notice through Interpol, paving the way for their deportation back to India. Goa police say a team will travel to Delhi to secure custody when the brothers land.
Authorities in Goa have filed an FIR naming the Luthras under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 125(a) and (b) (endangering life and personal safety), and 287 (negligent conduct with fire or combustible matter) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The case accuses them of illegal operations and safety lapses at the nightclub.
Six people linked to the venue—five managerial staff and Ajay Gupta, described as a business partner—are already under police scrutiny, with investigators also seeking Surinder Kumar Khosla, a seventh suspect.
Early investigations point to a possible ignition by electric firecrackers near the ceiling, underscoring alleged regulatory lapses and violations surrounding the venue.
Separately, Indian authorities say the Central Bureau of Investigation has initiated moves to facilitate the deportation from Phuket, with the Indian embassy coordinating the process. The Luthras are expected to be produced before a Delhi court for transit remand as the legal process moves forward.
As the case unfolds, families of victims and safety advocates are watching closely for accountability and reforms in Goa's nightlife industry.
