Goa Nightclub Owner Gaurav Luthra Spotted in Thailand Following Deadly Fire Tragedy

Gaurav Luthra, co-owner of the ill-fated 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Goa, was identified during an immigration check at Phuket airport in Thailand.

NDTV has obtained an exclusive image of Gaurav Luthra, one of the proprietors of the Goa nightclub 'Birch by Romeo Lane' where a devastating fire claimed 25 lives. The photograph shows Luthra during an immigration procedure at Phuket airport in Thailand.

Gaurav (44) and his brother Saurabh (40) departed for Phuket on an IndiGo flight at 5:30 am on Sunday, mere hours following the tragic incident. According to sources, the brothers were in Delhi when the catastrophe occurred at their establishment.

Intelligence reports indicate that the Luthra brothers initially checked into a resort in Phuket but vacated the premises before authorities could locate them. They are believed to be actively avoiding detection by law enforcement.

Following the deadly fire, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against the siblings, who manage several cafes and nightclubs. Although police teams visited their Delhi residence, the brothers had already fled. They now face serious charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and conspiracy.

Previous reporting by NDTV confirmed that the brothers boarded IndiGo flight 6E-1073 to Phuket. Despite the airline experiencing widespread disruptions at that time, its international flights remained operational.

Law enforcement has issued both a lookout circular and an Interpol Blue Corner Notice against the Luthra brothers. A Blue Corner Notice serves to gather information about an individual's identity, whereabouts, or activities related to criminal investigations, particularly when authorities need assistance tracking suspects across international borders.

Authorities have also issued a lookout circular for Ajay Gupta, the third co-owner of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' establishment.

The tragic fire erupted at 'Birch By Romeo Lane' in Goa's Arpora around midnight on Saturday when electronic pyrotechnics used during a dance performance ignited the roof. The extensive use of flammable materials such as bamboo in the nightclub's construction contributed significantly to the rapid spread of the flames.

Many patrons became trapped in the basement, resulting in 25 fatalities – including 20 staff members and five tourists.