On Dec. 11, authorities in Thailand seized Delhi entrepreneurs Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who had departed India immediately after a raging blaze at their Goa nightclub claimed 25 lives. The couple, who own several Romeo Lane restaurants in multiple countries, had booked flights to Phuket just hours after the disaster at “Birch by Romeo Lane” in Arpora.
They now face the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, alongside serious accusations of negligence. India’s agencies are expected to formally request their deportation so they can be tried in Goa, NDTV reported. Earlier that day, the passports of both men were suspended, a power that the Ministry of External Affairs holds under Section 10A of the Passports Act 1967, which limits use of the document for international travel. When a passport is suspended, the holder must complete all legal procedures before it can be restored; otherwise, the state may cancel it outright.
The fire erupted late Saturday night while the club was hosting a music event for nearly a hundred partygoers, most of whom were tourists. Footage shows performers belting out Bollywood numbers onstage. It appears that electric firecrackers used during the concert sparked the blaze. The venue’s extensive use of flammable décor and the absence of basic fire‑safety equipment – no functioning extinguishers or alarm system – turned the night into a death trap. Compounding the tragedy was a narrow approach road that prevented fire trucks from reaching the club; they were forced to set up about 400 metres away, severely delaying the firefighting effort.
By the time the flames were finally brought under control, 25 people had been killed, including five tourists and 20 staff members. Most victims were found in the basement, having succumbed to smoke inhalation. The incident sent waves of shock through Goa during the peak tourist season, prompting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to pledge stern action. Four club employees were already in custody, and a manhunt was launched for the Luthra brothers. Police agencies from Goa travelled to Delhi and discovered that the siblings had booked and taken flights almost immediately after the fire. Their associate, Ajay Gupta, was arrested in the capital.
In response, the brothers filed an anticipatory bail plea in a Delhi court. In their petition, they claimed that they merely held a licence and were not owners of the building, arguing that the trip to Thailand was a legitimate business meeting rather than an escape, and that neither of them was present at the club when the tragedy happened. They requested a four‑week period of transit anticipatory bail to avoid arrest upon their return.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
