Luthra Brothers' Deportation from Thailand: Return Process Begins After Deadly Goa Nightclub Fire

Goa nightclub fire: Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra were detained in Thailand

The deportation process has commenced to return the Luthra brothers from Thailand following the fatal fire at their Goa nightclub. Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra escaped India within hours after the tragic incident at their establishment 'Birch by Romeo Lane' in Arpora. Thai authorities eventually apprehended them in Phuket after receiving a request from Indian officials.

The brothers have now been transferred to Bangkok by Thai officials and are currently being held at the Suan Phlu Immigration Detection Centre. They will remain there until all deportation formalities are completed. An Indian law enforcement team is expected to soon take custody of the accused siblings.

The Indian embassy will issue emergency travel certificates to facilitate their return to India, as their passports have been cancelled—creating a significant overstay issue in Thailand.

After completing these procedures, they will board a flight back to India, with their arrival anticipated by Monday.

This entire process is being coordinated by the Indian foreign ministry, the Indian Embassy in Thailand, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), working alongside the Royal Thai Police and the Thai government.

Upon their return to India, the Delhi-based restaurateurs will face serious charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence related to the nightclub tragedy.

A Delhi court has already rejected their application for anticipatory bail.

The Luthra brothers' deportation follows intensive diplomatic and law enforcement efforts across both countries. To secure their capture, the Indian government suspended their passports, which created immigration complications for them. Meanwhile, Interpol issued blue corner notices identifying them as suspects for alleged violations of nightclub operation regulations.

Thailand immigration authorities subsequently detained the brothers in their hotel room and released photographs showing them with their hands restrained, holding their passports.

The tragic incident claimed at least 25 lives and injured six others, shocking the coastal state during its peak holiday season. The fire broke out after midnight during a musical event at the nightclub. Approximately 100 people, predominantly tourists, were present at the venue. Electric firecrackers are believed to have triggered the fire.

The extensive use of flammable materials in the club's decoration transformed it into a death trap. Investigators discovered alarming violations of fire safety standards, including a lack of functional fire extinguishers, raising serious questions about the club management's responsibility.