New Delhi, December 16, 2025 – Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in Goa’s Arpora where a devastating fire claimed 25 lives on December 6, were deported from Thailand and arrested upon arrival in Delhi on Tuesday.
The brothers landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport aboard an IndiGo flight (6E-1064) from Bangkok. A Goa Police team, in coordination with central agencies, took them into custody immediately after immigration clearance. They are expected to undergo medical examination before being produced before Delhi’s Patiala House Court for transit remand, after which they will be taken to Goa for further questioning in the Mapusa court.
The deadly blaze at the upscale nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora village broke out late on December 6 during a crowded event, trapping many inside due to alleged fire safety violations, including flammable decor, lack of emergency exits, and narrow access roads. Investigations revealed the fire was likely sparked by pyrotechnics or a short circuit, turning the venue into a death trap.
The Luthra brothers, who were in Delhi attending a wedding at the time, fled to Phuket, Thailand, hours after the incident. They booked tickets online at 1:17 AM on December 7 via a travel portal while rescue operations were still underway. Goa Police issued a Look Out Circular on December 8, followed by passport revocation on December 11. Thai authorities detained them in a Phuket hotel, initially for overstaying, paving the way for deportation under the India-Thailand extradition treaty.
A Delhi court earlier rejected their anticipatory bail pleas, noting the gravity of the offences, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and criminal negligence. Several club staff and a business partner have already been arrested.
The tragedy has sparked outrage over fire safety norms in Goa’s nightlife venues, prompting audits and closures of non-compliant establishments. Authorities continue to probe regulatory lapses, with the brothers’ return marking a key step in the investigation.
