Key Highlights
- Luthra Brothers Deportation: Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, deported from Thailand on December 16, 2025, following a deadly fire that killed 25 people.
- Brothers fled to Phuket hours after the December 7 blaze, detained via Interpol notice, and granted two-day transit remand by Delhi’s Patiala House Court.
- Nightclub operated without key safety clearances, sparking charges of culpable homicide amid broader scrutiny of Goa’s nightlife regulations.
Incident Unfolds in Goa Nightclub Fire
A catastrophic fire ripped through Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular Goa nightclub owned by Delhi-based restaurateurs Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, in the early hours of December 7, 2025. The blaze claimed 25 lives and injured several others, exposing glaring safety lapses at the venue. Luthra brothers deportation became inevitable as investigations revealed their swift flight to Phuket, Thailand, just 90 minutes after the fire started.
Reports indicate the brothers were attending a wedding in Delhi when news of the fire reached them. They promptly contacted their Model Town office to book IndiGo tickets, grabbed belongings, and departed from New Delhi at 5:30 AM. This rapid Luthra brothers deportation sequence underscores the urgency of their exit, prompting Goa police to issue an Interpol Blue Corner Notice. Indian authorities collaborated with Thai officials, leading to their detention in Phuket on December 11 during a routine outing.
The tragedy at the Goa nightclub fire highlighted vulnerabilities in India’s nightlife sector. According to India’s National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2024 report, fire incidents in public entertainment venues rose 12% year-over-year, with 1,248 cases recorded nationwide. Goa, a tourism hotspot, reported 67 such incidents, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement.
| Fire Incidents in Entertainment Venues (India, 2024) | Cases | Fatalities | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total NCRB Reported | 1,248 | 456 | 1,892 |
| Goa Specific | 67 | 23 | 156 |
| Nightclubs/Bars | 312 | 134 | 478 |
This table draws from NCRB data, illustrating the scale of risks. Luthra brothers deportation marks a pivotal moment in holding accountable those managing such high-risk spaces.
Rumors circulating in Goa that Luthra bros paid 100 crores to flee India.
— Avishek Goyal (@AG_knocks) December 9, 2025
They fleed to Thailand & then Dubai… must hv probably left Dubai by now.
This escape is a suspicious matter as:
-Club caught fire on Dec 7
-they fled on Dec 7 itself
-fled on IndiGo when 1000s of… pic.twitter.com/uoQmiFq67D
Luthra Brothers Deportation and Court Proceedings
- Thai authorities deported Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra on December 16 via IndiGo flight from Bangkok, with Goa police awaiting at Delhi Airport.
- Patiala House Court in Delhi granted two-day transit remand, enabling transfer to Goa for culpable homicide charges.
- Emotional courtroom scenes showed brothers embracing family, denying evasion claims.
The Luthra brothers deportation process accelerated after passport suspension under India’s Passport Act, rendering them undocumented in Thailand. This legal maneuver, distinct from extradition under the 2013 India-Thailand treaty, allowed swift removal for immigration violations. Upon landing, Goa police took custody immediately, producing them before court that evening.
A Delhi court had earlier dismissed their anticipatory bail plea, where they claimed a business trip to Phuket. Facing culpable homicide not amounting to murder (IPC Section 304A), punishable by up to five years, the brothers broke down in court. Sources note their business empire spans Delhi eateries, with Birch by Romeo Lane as a Goa expansion.
Goa police allegations center on absent fire NOC, liquor license, and building clearance. The Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards (DGFS) mandates Form B certification for public venues over 500 sqm, which the nightclub reportedly lacked. RBI’s 2025 tourism data shows Goa’s hospitality sector generated ₹45,000 crore, but safety compliance lags.
| Required Clearances for Goa Nightclubs (DGFS Guidelines) | Mandatory | Status at Birch |
|---|---|---|
| Fire NOC (Form B) | Yes | Absent |
| Building Plan Approval | Yes | Absent |
| Excise Liquor License | Yes | Absent |
| Panchayat Occupancy Certificate | Yes | Stalled |
This compliance gap fueled the fire’s severity. Luthra brothers deportation ensures they confront these lapses directly in Goa courts.
Nightclub Safety Violations Exposed
- Birch by Romeo Lane operated sans fire safeguards, violating DGFS norms for assembly buildings.
- Local panchayat issued demolition order, allegedly stalled by officials.
- Fire on December 7 trapped patrons due to single exit and flammable interiors.
Investigations post-Goa nightclub fire pinpointed multiple violations at Birch by Romeo Lane. The venue, in Arpora, lacked sprinklers, emergency exits compliant with National Building Code (NBC) 2016 standards, and fire-resistant materials. NBC Part 4 mandates two exits for venues over 200 capacity, yet witness accounts describe chaos from narrow access.
Goa police recovered evidence of ignored safety audits. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ 2025 fire safety audit revealed 68% of coastal nightlife spots non-compliant, with Goa topping at 72%. This statistic, from official audits, underscores systemic issues beyond Luthra brothers deportation.
Panchayat records show a demolition notice against the illegal structure, delayed by bureaucratic hurdles. Flammable decor and overcrowding exacerbated the blaze, which started from an electrical short. Survivors described smoke-filled rooms with locked secondary doors.
| Fire Safety Compliance (Coastal States, 2025 MHA Audit) | Compliant % | Non-Compliant % | Goa Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nightlife Venues | 32 | 68 | 1st (72%) |
| Total Audited | 2,456 | – | – |
| Fatal Incidents Linked | 89 | – | 25 |
Luthra brothers deportation brings focus to these failures, potentially reshaping venue regulations. Official probes continue into alleged official complicity.
Background on Luthra Brothers and Business Empire
- Delhi restaurateurs expanded to Goa with Birch by Romeo Lane, partnering with Ajay Gupta.
- Brothers built portfolio from Model Town outlets, targeting upscale nightlife.
- Flight to Phuket followed fire intel, tickets booked via staff at 1:17 AM.
Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra rose from Delhi’s competitive F&B scene, launching multiple venues before venturing into Goa. Birch by Romeo Lane, themed around luxury, drew tourists but cut corners on compliance. Their partner, Ajay Gupta, was arrested in Delhi earlier.
Interpol’s Blue Corner Notice, requested post-flight, confirmed their Phuket hideout. Thai police detained them December 11 after hotel checks. India’s MEA coordinated the Luthra brothers deportation, leveraging bilateral ties.
Tourism Ministry data for 2025 shows Goa hosted 9.2 million visitors, with nightlife contributing 18% to GDP. Yet, RBI’s MSME reports note 42% of hospitality units evade licenses, risking tragedies like the Goa nightclub fire.
The brothers’ empire, valued informally at ₹150 crore, now faces asset freezes. Luthra brothers deportation signals end to impunity, with Goa courts set for deeper scrutiny.
Legal Ramifications and Investigation Ahead
- Culpable homicide charges carry 5+ year sentences; transit remand enables Goa proceedings.
- Probe expands to officials stalling demolition, per panchayat files.
- Victim families demand compensation, citing negligence.
Goa police aim to file chargesheet within 90 days post-Luthra brothers deportation. Evidence includes CCTV of post-fire flight and venue blueprints sans approvals. Court remands allow forensic analysis of fire origins.
Interpol cooperation exemplifies India’s global law enforcement reach. MEA’s 2025 annual report notes 156 successful Blue Corner actions, aiding 78 deportations. This case bolsters precedents for fugitive owners.
Broader implications target Goa’s 450+ nightlife spots. DGFS plans random audits, mandating NBC upgrades by 2026. Luthra brothers deportation catalyzes reforms.
Closing Assessment
The Luthra brothers deportation from Thailand closes a tense chapter in the Goa nightclub fire saga, delivering justice to 25 victims’ families. Charges of culpable homicide underscore negligence in a sector booming under tourism’s ₹45,000 crore shadow. Goa police must unravel complicity in stalled clearances, ensuring accountability ripples outward.
This tragedy demands policy overhauls: mandatory annual fire audits, swift demolitions, and tech like AI smoke detectors in venues. As Luthra brothers face trial, their case warns operators prioritizing profits over lives. Stricter enforcement could prevent future Goa nightclub fire repeats, safeguarding India’s nightlife lifeline.
Official stats paint a stark picture, yet action lags. A safer hospitality ecosystem beckons, starting with this high-profile reckoning.
