Deadly Goa Nightclub Fire: Luthra Brothers Brought Back to Delhi After Fleeing to Thailand

Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra were brought back to Delhi

New Delhi:

Two brothers, Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, who fled to Thailand following a fatal fire at their Goa nightclub this month, were returned to Delhi on Tuesday.

Gaurav, 44, and Saurabh, 40, escaped to Phuket via an IndiGo flight shortly after a devastating fire at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' claimed 25 lives on December 6.

The brothers were detained in Phuket on December 11 when they left their hotel for a meal and were subsequently taken to Bangkok.

The Luthras arrived on an IndiGo flight that landed in Delhi around 2 pm. They will now face a local court in Delhi, where officials will request their transit remand.

Authorities registered a case of culpable homicide and negligence against the brothers, who own and manage several cafes and clubs throughout the country.

Investigators claim their nightclub operated in violation of mandatory safety regulations, which contributed to the magnitude of the tragedy.

An Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued for their apprehension after they left India.

Goa Nightclub Fire

The fire erupted at 'Birch By Romeo Lane' in north Goa's Arpora around midnight on Saturday when electronic fireworks used during dancing ignited the roof.

Flammable materials such as bamboo were extensively used in the nightclub's construction, allegedly accelerating the fire's spread.

A witness reported that approximately 100 people were on the dance floor when the fire broke out, and in trying to escape, some ran downstairs to the kitchen where they became trapped alongside staff members.

The club was filled to capacity due to the weekend, according to the witness.

The nightclub, located in the Arpora River backwaters, had a narrow entrance and exit, which reportedly made it difficult for officials to access the location and rescue victims.

The fire claimed 25 lives, including 20 staff members and five tourists.

Goa Police has arrested five individuals so far, including managers and staff members of the nightclub in connection with the case.