Goa nightclub fire: Luthra brothers brought to Goa, taken to hospital under police custody

The brothers were arrested in Delhi on Tuesday, immediately after their deportation, and were granted a 48-hour transit remand by a Delhi court to facilitate their transfer to Goa.

The co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa, brothers Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, were brought to Goa on Wednesday after being deported from Thailand in connection with the December 6 nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives.

A team of the Goa Police escorted the two from Delhi to Manohar International Airport at Mopa, where they arrived around 10.45 am. The brothers were arrested in Delhi on Tuesday, immediately after their deportation, and were granted a 48-hour transit remand by a Delhi court to facilitate their transfer to Goa.

Upon arrival, the accused were taken under heavy police security to a Primary Health Centre in Siolim for medical examination and later shifted to the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa.

According to police sources, one of the brothers complained of chest pain and was referred for further treatment. The two were transported in separate vehicles as part of the security protocol.

The Luthra brothers are expected to be taken to the Anjuna police station for interrogation before being produced before a court in Mapusa, where the Goa Police will seek further remand.

The Anjuna police had earlier registered a case against the nightclub owners on multiple charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, following the devastating fire at the Arpora-based club.

Investigating officers have alleged that a fireworks event was organised at the venue without adequate safety measures or firefighting equipment, leading to the blaze.

According to police submissions before the Delhi court, the brothers had “ultimate control” over the operations of the nightclub, including safety arrangements, licences and event permissions. They pointed out that several key documents, including licences and internal communications, are yet to be recovered and that custodial interrogation is necessary at a crucial stage of the probe.

The accused had allegedly fled to Phuket hours after the incident, following which authorities issued an Interpol Blue Corner Notice and canceled their passports. They were detained by Thai authorities on December 11 following a request from the Indian government and later deported under bilateral legal arrangements.

So far, five managers and staff members of the nightclub have been arrested in connection with the case. The Goa Police said further probe is underway to establish the sequence of events and fix accountability for the tragedy.