Gaurav and Saurav Luthra, who are set to be deported to India in connection with the devastating fire at a Goa nightclub that resulted in 25 deaths, briefly left their hotel in Thailand for a meal. According to sources, this outing on December 9 allowed authorities to confirm that the brothers—wanted by police in India—were staying in Phuket.
Thai authorities had already placed the hotel under surveillance following information shared by Indian agencies. When the brothers exited the premises, Thai immigration and police officials confirmed their identities and checked their travel documents. With their passports already under scrutiny by Indian authorities, the brothers were questioned by officials, sources said.
After verification of their identities, the Luthra brothers were detained from their hotel room and transferred to immigration authorities for further proceedings. The deportation process was initiated once formal documentation was received from India.
A massive blaze engulfed the nightclub in Arpora village, North Goa, around midnight on December 6, claiming the lives of 25 individuals—primarily staff members along with a few tourists.
Gaurav Luthra, aged 44, and his brother Saurav, aged 40, were detained in Thailand on Thursday. This occurred simultaneously as a Delhi court denied their applications for anticipatory transit bail, pointing to the duo's conduct and the seriousness of the alleged offences.
Thai officials subsequently transported them to Bangkok on Friday, where they were held at the Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Centre. They will stay at the immigration centre pending completion of deportation formalities. An Indian law enforcement team is anticipated to soon take custody of the accused brothers. The Indian embassy will issue an emergency travel certificate to facilitate their return, as their passports have been cancelled, creating a significant overstay violation.
Also Read: Goa Nightclub Fire: Luthra brothers' midnight escape plan
Separately, a Goa court placed Ajay Gupta—described as a silent partner and investor in the nightclub—into police custody. The Luthra brothers were reportedly attending a wedding in Delhi when the fire erupted and left for Thailand shortly afterward, while Gupta was in Goa and was subsequently located in a Delhi hospital.
In Goa, authorities pressed ahead with measures against violations in nightclubs and tourism venues, sealing 'Goya The Night Club' in Vagator due to its construction on agricultural land. The state government also imposed a ban on fireworks, sparklers, pyrotechnic effects, flame thrower-type devices, smoke generators, and similar equipment within tourist establishments. Fireworks are believed to have ignited the fire at Birch by Romeo Lane.
Upon their arrival in India, the Luthra brothers will face charges that include injury causing death, manslaughter, and murder related to organising a fire show "without taking proper care and caution and without providing fire safety equipment or other safety gadgets."
Also Read: Luthra brothers arrested in Thailand, seen handcuffed in photos
Follow us
