Goa Nightclub Fire: Owners' Passports Suspended as Investigation Reveals Thailand Escape

The Goa Police have suspended the passports of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the principal owners of Goa's Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, where 25 people died in a devastating fire on December 6. Investigation revealed on Wednesday that the Luthra brothers fled to Thailand immediately after the fire broke out.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Central Government or any designated officer can suspend passports under Section 10A of the Passports Act 1967. Individuals whose passports are suspended cannot leave the country using those documents.

For the Luthra brothers, who have already left India, their passports are now temporarily invalid, preventing further international travel. Passport suspension is common in criminal cases, and reactivation requires fulfilling legal procedures. Sources indicate the next step will be complete passport cancellation.

The brothers are currently in Phuket, Thailand, facing an expanding criminal investigation, multiple look-out notices, and an Interpol Blue Corner Notice.

Also Read | Victims Killed In Goa Nightclub Fire Identified, 3 Of Them From Delhi Family

Goa Nightclub Fire: Investigation So Far

The Goa police arrested Ajay Gupta on Tuesday, one of the four owners of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub. The fire claimed 25 lives and injured six others. Among the victims were 20 staff members and five tourists.

When confronted by NDTV, Gupta stated, "I'm only a sleeping partner with the Luthras, nothing else."

Officials confirmed the Luthra brothers booked flights to Thailand while emergency services were still battling the fire and attempting to rescue trapped patrons. They accessed the MakeMyTrip platform at 1:17 AM on December 7, while rescue operations were ongoing. Immigration records show they departed from Delhi on IndiGo flight 6E 1073 to Phuket at 5:30 AM.

On Wednesday, a Delhi court denied the Luthra brothers interim relief from arrest. They had requested four weeks of transit anticipatory bail, claiming they needed protection from immediate arrest upon returning from Thailand, along with interim protection from custodial action.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has assured that the Luthra brothers will face consequences.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Chief Minister Sawant declared, "Whether it is Thailand or anywhere else, we will pick them up from there and put them behind bars".

Also Read | Huge Flames, Heavy Smoke: New Video Shows Goa Club Engulfed In Fire