Luthra brothers, Gaurav and Saurabh, the owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa's Arpora, where 25 people were killed in a fire, are being deported from Thailand today.
The two brothers boarded a flight from Bangkok and are being brought to Delhi. The Luthras have been named accused in the Goa nightclub tragedy, and will be presented in the Patiala House court for remand proceedings after landing in Delhi.
The deportation is taking place against the backdrop of an ongoing investigation into the fatal fire, an incident that sparked public outrage and raised serious questions about alleged safety breaches and lapses on the part of the nightclub’s management.
The Luthra brothers, co-owners of the Arpora-based nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane in North Goa, had travelled to Thailand’s Phuket soon after the blaze. Following their departure, an Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued to trace their location.
Acting on coordination between Indian authorities and the Indian mission, Thai officials detained the two in Phuket on December 11. The Indian mission remained in close communication with the Thai government throughout the process.
Videos circulating on social media platforms showed the brothers at Bangkok airport prior to their onward travel.
Upon their return to India, the two will be formally taken into custody for further legal action in connection with the case. They will be presented at the Patiala High Court in Delhi, where the Goa police will seek their transit remand.
Meanwhile, the Goa Police have already arrested five managers and staff members linked to the nightclub as part of the investigation into the fire incident.