Luthra Brothers Arrested and Transported to Goa Following Fatal Nightclub Fire: Exclusive Transit Images

NDTV has obtained exclusive photographs of the Luthra brothers at Delhi Airport during their transit to Goa.

New Delhi:

Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who were apprehended in Thailand following their escape after the fatal fire at their Goa nightclub, are being transported to Goa today to face legal proceedings. The Patiala House Court granted the Goa Police a two-day transit remand for the brothers, who own the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub.

Exclusive images acquired by NDTV show the Luthra brothers waiting at Delhi Airport before their transfer to Goa.

One brother was observed wearing a white hoodie, while the other was seen with a face mask, cap, and black sweatshirt. They were positioned in the waiting area near the boarding gates, accompanied by officials.

Upon arrival in Goa, they will be presented before a local court.

The brothers, who face charges of culpable homicide and negligence, were returned to India on an IndiGo flight yesterday afternoon.

They had escaped to Phuket, Thailand shortly after the tragedy, reportedly while attending a wedding in Delhi when the incident occurred. Upon learning about the fire and its potential severity, Saurabh and Gaurav contacted their office in Delhi's Model Town, instructing staff to book flight tickets. They hurriedly returned home, collected important documents, and fled the country. The pair was detained in Thailand on December 11 after leaving their hotel for a meal.

The Goa nightclub incident began as a musical event that turned catastrophic earlier this month, with footage showing massive flames and smoke engulfing the venue. Another video captures a performer dancing to the popular Sholay song 'Mehbooba Mehbooba' when flames initially appear on the ceiling.

Initial investigations into the tragedy have revealed numerous safety violations that made the nightclub extremely hazardous. According to officials, the establishment lacked emergency exits, operational fire extinguishers, safety alarms, and had an access road too narrow for fire engines. Despite multiple warnings, management failed to address these safety deficiencies. The club was also operating without proper permits and licenses, as stated in the police report.

Four nightclub staff members have been arrested thus far, including the manager. Ajay Gupta, a third partner in the business, was also apprehended in Delhi.

While Gupta previously claimed to be merely a "silent partner," investigations revealed he was actually the most active co-owner. He was present in Goa during the incident but fled to Delhi shortly after the tragedy occurred. Authorities arrested him at the Institute of Brain and Spine in Delhi's Lajpat Nagar last week, where he had admitted himself in an apparent attempt to avoid arrest.