The investigation into Goa’s devastating nightclub fire took a major turn on Tuesday after Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra Brothers, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane club in Arpora, were detained in Phuket, Thailand. The detention came following a request from the Indian government and an Interpol Blue Corner Notice issued against them.
The brothers allegedly fled India just hours after a massive fire—suspected to have been caused by a gas cylinder blast—swept through their club on Saturday night, leaving 25 people dead and several others injured.
Officials revealed that the Luthra brothers had booked their flight tickets for Phuket at 1:17 am on December 7, barely an hour after receiving information about the tragedy. By the time rescue teams were battling the blaze and searching for survivors, the duo had reportedly already boarded an IndiGo flight out of the country.
Interpol Notice and International Detention
With suspicions rising over their sudden departure, the Goa Police reached out to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), seeking international assistance. Soon after, Interpol issued a Blue Corner Notice, aimed at tracking and gathering information on the accused.
Acting on the notice, authorities in Thailand detained the Luthra brothers in Phuket. Senior officials confirmed that the Indian government is now actively coordinating with Thai authorities to initiate the extradition process.
Extradition and Next Steps
Sources have indicated that a Goa Police team will travel to Thailand to formally take custody of the two men. Once brought back to India, the brothers will face questioning and legal proceedings linked to the catastrophic fire at their nightclub.
The tragedy has sparked widespread outrage, with questions raised about safety measures, licensing compliance, and the owners’ alleged attempt to evade accountability.
A Tragedy That Shook Goa
The fire at Birch by Romeo Lane has become one of the deadliest incidents in Goa in recent years. Initial reports suggest the blaze may have been triggered by an explosion inside the premises, though investigations are still underway. For now, the detention of the club’s owners marks a crucial step forward in delivering justice to the victims and their families.
As the extradition process unfolds, authorities say they remain committed to ensuring a transparent and comprehensive probe into the events leading up to the tragedy.