Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the brothers who owned the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, have been detained in Thailand following a deadly fire at their club that killed 25 people.
The blaze broke out late on 6 December at the popular club in Arpora, near Baga beach. Police say the fire spread quickly, trapping many inside, and investigators believe safety lapses may have contributed to the tragedy.
According to officials, the Luthra brothers flew to Phuket, Thailand, just hours after the fire, booking tickets in the early morning of 7 December while emergency teams were still working at the scene.
India’s law enforcement agencies issued a Look-Out Circular (LOC) and an Interpol Blue Corner Notice to locate them. Thai authorities detained the brothers at India’s request, and they are now expected to be deported back to India to face legal proceedings. Their passports had already been suspended by Indian authorities, and a team from Goa Police is preparing to bring them home.
Earlier, the brothers sought transit anticipatory bail in a Delhi court, claiming they travelled for business reasons and were not directly responsible for daily club operations. The court, however, denied interim relief and set the next hearing later this week.
Investigators have also arrested several club staff members in connection with the fire, and authorities continue to probe safety compliance and other responsibilities related to the incident.