Luthra Brothers Detained in Thailand After Goa Nightclub Fire Leaves 25 Dead

New Delhi, Dec 2025 : Delhi-based businessmen Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra — owners of the popular Romeo Lane restaurant chain — have been detained by authorities in Thailand, days after a devastating fire at their Goa nightclub killed 25 people. Their detention marks a major breakthrough in the high-profile case that has stirred public outrage and put the spotlight on glaring safety lapses in Goa’s nightlife industry.

The Luthra brothers allegedly fled India within hours of the blaze at their Arpora-based club, Birch by Romeo Lane, which went up in flames late Saturday night during a packed music event. Nearly 100 people, including tourists, were present inside when the inferno broke out. Videos from the night show performers entertaining the crowd with Bollywood medleys; investigators suspect that the use of electric firecrackers during the show triggered the fire.

According to officials, the club was a disaster waiting to happen. The venue was heavily decorated with flammable materials, had no functional fire extinguishers or alarms, and violated multiple fire-safety guidelines. The situation was made worse by the club’s narrow access route, which prevented fire engines from reaching the spot. Firefighters were forced to station themselves nearly 400 metres away, causing critical delays in rescue operations.

By the time the flames were brought under control, 25 people had died — five tourists and twenty club employees. Most victims were found in the basement, having succumbed to toxic smoke inhalation. The tragedy, occurring during peak tourist season, shook the state and prompted an immediate response from the Goa government.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant vowed strict action, and Goa Police swiftly arrested four staff members linked to the nightclub. A manhunt was launched for the Luthra brothers after it emerged that they had boarded a flight to Phuket mere hours after the incident. Goa Police teams were dispatched to Delhi, where investigators discovered that the brothers had logged onto a travel platform soon after the fire began and booked their tickets.

Their associate, Ajay Gupta, was arrested in Delhi as pressure mounted to bring the prime accused back to India. Meanwhile, the Luthra brothers approached a Delhi court seeking anticipatory bail. In their plea, they claimed they were only licence holders and not the actual owners of the building housing the nightclub. They requested four weeks of transit anticipatory bail to avoid arrest upon arrival and argued that their sudden trip to Thailand was for a pre-scheduled business meeting, not an attempt to evade the law. They further maintained that they were not present at the club at the time of the tragedy.

Earlier on Thursday, officials confirmed that the Ministry of External Affairs had suspended the passports of both brothers under Section 10A of the Passports Act, 1967. This provision empowers the government to suspend travel documents in cases involving criminal investigations. A suspended passport prevents individuals from travelling internationally, and sources indicated that complete cancellation of their passports could follow.

Indian authorities are now expected to formally request the deportation of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra so they can face trial in Goa on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, alongside multiple negligence-related offences. Their detention in Thailand is seen as a crucial step toward bringing them back to India to face justice.

Team Maverick