Two brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, were apprehended in Thailand on Thursday in connection with a tragic nightclub fire in Goa that resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals. The chief minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, confirmed their detention, designating the brothers as co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, where the incident occurred.
On the same day, a local court in Delhi denied the brothers’ request for interim protection from arrest. Their lawyer, Tanvir Ahmed Mir, contended during the hearing that the Luthras were on a business trip in Thailand and clarified that they held a license for the nightclub rather than true ownership.
The fire erupted around midnight on Saturday at the nightclub located in Arpora, sparking a significant investigation. Chief Minister Sawant assured that they would be extradited to Goa soon. Mir expressed doubts over the legitimacy of the charges, labeling the situation as a reaction from a “vengeful government,” and indicated that the brothers were in Thailand to set up a restaurant in Phuket.
In parallel with the investigation, Indian authorities have already arrested six individuals, including five employees of the nightclub. The Luthras’ legal representation argued that the employees managed the club’s daily operations, suggesting that their clients should not be held responsible for the incident.
In light of this tragedy, the Indian government has pledged compensation to the families of the victims, which includes at least four tourists and a significant number of club staff. Goa remains a popular tourist destination, frequently attracting visitors with its picturesque beaches and landscapes. In the first half of the year, approximately 5.5 million tourists, including over 270,000 international visitors, journeyed to Goa, as reported by government statistics.
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