Goa nightclub fire: CBI in Thailand to bring back Luthra brothers as Indian embassy issues emergency travel documents

The owners of a Goa nightclub where a devastating fire killed 25 people last month are now in Thai custody, awaiting deportation to India following a coordinated international effort.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has dispatched a team to Phuket to facilitate the swift return of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who fled India hours after the blaze erupted at their establishment.

The Luthra brothers, proprietors of the now-charred Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, were detained by Thai authorities last week after it was discovered they were staying in the country illegally. Their Indian passports had been suspended by the Union government, rendering their presence unlawful.

A senior official was cited by TOI as confirming that the Indian Embassy in Bangkok is in close coordination with Thai authorities and is issuing emergency certificates — one-way travel documents — to enable the deportation process. While India and Thailand have had a formal extradition treaty in force since 2015, officials clarified the current procedure involves deportation under local laws, a faster administrative process.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reportedly confirmed that the investigative team had arrived in Thailand and the process to repatriate the Luthra brothers was in motion. State Director General of Police Alok Kumar stated that the duo was anticipated to be in India the following week.

The brothers’ flight from India came even as emergency services were battling the inferno at their nightclub on the night of December 6. Shortly after their departure, the regional passport office issued them notices and a lookout circular was activated. The Ministry of External Affairs subsequently suspended their passports, directly leading to their detention in Phuket.

Back in Goa, the police investigation into the tragedy has uncovered severe regulatory failures. Investigators revealed the nightclub had been operating illegally for nearly 18 months without mandatory permissions and on an expired licence. The licence had reportedly lapsed because the establishment failed to obtain required clearances since 2024.

The fire, which preliminary probes by police and the fire services directorate attribute to electric firecrackers hitting the wooden ceiling during a weekend event, trapped more than 150 tourists inside. It rapidly engulfed the premises.

In connection with the case, Goa police have already arrested several individuals. These include Gurgaon resident Ajay Gupta, a business partner of the Luthras; the club’s chief general manager Rajiv Modak and gate manager Priyanshu Thakur, both from New Delhi; bar manager Rajveer Singhania and general manager Vivek Singh from Uttar Pradesh; and Delhi-based Bharat Kohli.

As the investigation widens, with statements from government and fire department officials being recorded, the focus remains on securing the return of the primary accused.