Delhi restaurateurs Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, wanted in connection with the Goa nightclub fire that killed 25 people, have been detained in Thailand. Photos circulating online show the brothers standing with their hands tied, holding their passports, alongside Thai police officials.

The duo — owners of the Romeo Lane hospitality chain with outlets across 22 cities and four countries — left India for Phuket within hours of the fire that gutted their Goa venue, Birch by Romeo Lane, in Arpora. Goa Police have booked them for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence, and Indian authorities are now preparing to push for their deportation. A team of officers has reportedly already landed in Thailand and is expected to bring them back within 24 hours.

A preventable disaster

The fire broke out late on Saturday night during a musical event that had drawn around 100 patrons, many of them tourists. Videos from the venue show performers dancing to Bollywood tracks as electric firecrackers were used — a likely trigger for the blaze.

Investigators say the club was packed with flammable décor, lacked functional fire extinguishers, and had no working alarms. Critical access roads were so narrow that fire engines had to halt nearly 400 metres away, delaying rescue efforts. Most victims, including five tourists and 20 staff members, died of toxic smoke inhalation in the basement.

Hunt across states — and then overseas

The tragedy sent shockwaves across Goa during the peak tourist season. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant promised strict action. Four staff members were arrested soon after, and a joint Delhi–Goa police operation began to track down the Luthras.

However, investigations revealed that the brothers had already booked their tickets soon after the fire broke out and boarded a flight hours later. Delhi Police subsequently arrested their business partner, Ajay Gupta.

Luthras seek anticipatory bail

Even as efforts to deport them progress, the Luthra brothers have approached a Delhi court seeking four weeks’ transit anticipatory bail. In their plea, they argue that:

  • They are licensees, not owners, of the building that housed the club
  • They were not present at the venue when the incident occurred
  • Their travel to Thailand was for a business meeting, not an attempt to flee

The petition comes amid rising public anger and scrutiny over the club’s apparent disregard for safety norms.

As Goa authorities await the brothers’ return, the case has triggered a wider conversation on fire safety enforcement, illegal structural modifications, and high-risk nightlife operations across tourist hubs in the state.