Goa police arrest Luthra brothers after their deportation to India

Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, the Delhi-based owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa where a devastating fire claimed 25 lives, were arrested by Goa Police at the Delhi airport on Tuesday. The brothers were deported from Thailand following the issuance of an Interpol Blue Corner Notice after they had fled the country just hours after the deadly blaze on December 6. Their arrest marks a significant step forward in the investigation into one of Goa’s deadliest nightlife tragedies.

The Luthra brothers landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi after boarding a flight from Thailand. Central agencies facilitated their arrival, where a team from the Goa Police was waiting at the immigration area to formally execute the arrest procedures. Following immigration clearance, a team from the Goa Police, along assisted by Delhi Police officials, took the accused into custody within the airport premises.

The two brothers are now scheduled to be produced before a Delhi court. Investigators will seek a transit remand from the court to legally transfer them from Delhi to Goa for further questioning. The Luthra brothers are expected to be produced before the Mapusa Magistrate Court on December 17 after being brought to the state to face charges, which include culpable homicide not amounting to murder, for the fatal fire at their nightclub which was allegedly operating without proper safety clearances and on an expired license.