Following the devastating fire at their ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in Goa that claimed 25 lives, the principal owners, brothers Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, fled India and are currently at large in Thailand. However, the two men can be brought back to face trial in India under the existing legal framework between the two countries: the 1982 India-Thailand Extradition Arrangement, supplemented by the formal Extradition Treaty signed in 2013 and brought into force on June 29, 2015.
According to police sources, on December 7, within hours of the deadly blaze erupting at the popular nightclub located on Arpora beach, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra boarded an IndiGo flight from Delhi and flew to Phuket, Thailand.
A Blue Corner Notice has already been issued by Interpol against both brothers to locate and provisionally detain them pending extradition proceedings.
The 1982 Extradition Arrangement between India and Thailand provides a mechanism for the return of fugitives wanted for serious offences, including transnational crimes and terrorism-related cases. This arrangement was strengthened when the two nations signed a comprehensive Extradition Treaty in 2013, which entered into force on June 29, 2015.
Since the treaty came into effect, Thai authorities have successfully extradited or deported at least three Indian nationals who had fled to Thailand after committing crimes in India:
- Kosaraju Venkateswara Rao (wanted in a 2006 case)
- Gurpreet Singh Bhullar (wanted in a 2009 case)
- Jagtar Singh Tara (extradited in 2015)
Bilateral cooperation in criminal matters extends beyond extradition. On May 30, 2013, the Financial Intelligence Unit–India (FIU-IND) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bangkok with Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), the Thai financial intelligence unit. The MoU enables both countries to exchange intelligence related to money laundering and terrorism financing.
Additionally, India and Thailand signed an Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons on January 25, 2012. The instruments of ratification were exchanged on May 30, 2013, allowing convicted persons to serve their sentences in their home country if both governments agree.
Developments in the Goa Police Investigation
Since the fire, Goa Police have made several arrests. Those currently in custody include:
- Rajiv Modak, Chief General Manager of the nightclub
- Vivek Singh, General Manager
- Rajiv Singhania, Bar Manager
- Riyanshu Thakur, Gate Manager
- Bharat Kohli, employee
On Tuesday, Ajay Gupta, a third co-owner of ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ who had also gone into hiding after the tragedy, was detained by Delhi Police. He is expected to be formally placed under arrest once he is produced before a court in Goa.
A Look-Out Circular (LOC) has meanwhile been issued against another co-owner, Surinder Kumar Khosla, whose present whereabouts remain unknown.
Also Read: Goa Nightclub Tragedy: Pyroguns, narrow lanes reason for fire
Statement from Saurabh Luthra
While remaining a fugitive, Saurabh Luthra issued a brief statement on the incident: “The management expresses profound grief and is deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives resulting from the unfortunate incident at Birch.”
“In this hour of irreparable sorrow and overwhelming distress, the management stands in unwavering solidarity with the families of the deceased as well as those injured and conveys its heartfelt condolences with the utmost sincerity,” he added.
As the investigation continues and diplomatic channels are activated, Indian authorities are preparing to invoke the 2013 Extradition Treaty to secure the return of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra from Thailand to face charges related to the fire that killed 25 people at their Goa nightclub.
Also Read: Goa Nightclub fire: Owners fled to Phuket hours after club fire
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