Midnight escape, Interpol alerts, passport cancellation: How Luthra brothers fled to Thailand and how India is forcing their return

Goa Police investigation revealed that the Luthra brothers booked their flight to Thailand at 1:17 am on December 7, even as emergency services were still struggling to contain the fire.

India has begun the process to deport Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the Goa nightclub where a massive fire killed 25 people on Saturday night, reports CNN-News18. The Luthra brothers fled to Thailand within hours of the blaze, prompting urgent coordination between the Embassy of India in Bangkok and Thai authorities to bring them back.

Government sources told CNN-News18 that once officials realised the brothers had escaped, an Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued. Although this notice does not function as an arrest warrant, it authorises local police and immigration agencies to locate, monitor and present the individuals before a competent court.

The Indian authorities also revoked their passports under Section 10A of the Passports Act. Sources explained that this action stripped the brothers of valid immigration status in Thailand, which under Thailand’s Immigration Act B.E. 2522 requires detention of foreigners without lawful documents. As the sources put it, “After cancellation of visa, their stay in Thailand was deemed illegal and they were taken to a detention centre." They added that the Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre is the designated facility for non-citizens awaiting deportation, extradition or court review.

What happens in the Thai court

The brothers will next be produced before a Thai Immigration Court. The court will examine the passport cancellation, visa status and communication received from Interpol. Both sides will present arguments before a decision is taken. Once that is completed, the two will be deported to the port of origin from where they travelled.

Thailand cannot deport a foreign national without valid travel documents. Since the brothers’ passports have been revoked, India must issue an Emergency Travel Certificate. Without this certificate, Thailand is legally barred from placing them on any aircraft. Deportation will take place under Section 54 of Thailand’s Immigration Act once the documents are issued. Officials clarified that the ETC process requires the person to be returned only to the last airport from which they boarded the flight to Thailand, which in this case means India.

Goa Police will arrest the brothers under the Look Out Circular immediately on their arrival and take them into custody for interrogation.

They fled while the fire was still burning

According to CNN-News18, the Goa Police investigation revealed that the Luthra brothers booked their flight to Thailand at 1:17 am on December 7, even as emergency services were still struggling to contain the fire and rescue people inside the nightclub. Officials said, “Even as the Goa Police and Fire Services were battling to douse the fire and rescue those trapped inside, the Luthra brothers were preparing to flee the country."

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said strong action will follow. “Our government will work to give justice to the 25 people who lost their lives… We will put them behind bars," he said. He added, “We arrested six people after the tragic fire incident. We also suspended three people and are conducting the investigation in a fast-track manner. One of the three owners of the club was arrested in Delhi, and an LOC was issued against the two other owners. We also ordered the Regional Passport Office to cancel their passports. With the help of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Home Minister, the Luthra brothers were detained in Thailand."

Bail plea rejected in Delhi

A Delhi court on Thursday dismissed the transit anticipatory bail pleas filed by Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra. Additional Sessions Judge Vandana called the allegations “grave and serious" and said the “conduct" of the accused also justified rejecting the pleas. The brothers had sought four weeks of protection from arrest upon their return from Thailand, but the court ruled against them.