Post by : Rameen Ariff

Two brothers who owned a popular nightclub in Goa and fled the country hours after a deadly fire were brought back to India on Tuesday after being deported from Thailand. Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, owners of the nightclub “Birch by Romeo Lane,” returned to Delhi following their detention by Thai authorities earlier this month.

The brothers had left India for Phuket on December 6, just hours after a massive fire broke out at their nightclub in north Goa’s Arpora area. The blaze claimed the lives of 25 people, including 20 staff members and five tourists, making it one of the deadliest nightclub fires in recent years. Investigators say the club was crowded at the time of the incident, with more than 100 people present on the dance floor.

Authorities stated that the fire was triggered by electronic fireworks used during a dance performance. The flames quickly spread after the club’s roof caught fire. Officials believe the extensive use of flammable materials, including bamboo, in the club’s construction helped the fire spread rapidly. Witnesses said panic broke out as people rushed to escape, with some getting trapped in the kitchen area along with staff members.

The nightclub’s narrow entry and exit points, along with its location near the Arpora River backwaters, made rescue efforts difficult. Emergency teams faced challenges reaching the site in time, which investigators say contributed to the high death toll.

After fleeing to Thailand, the Luthra brothers were detained on December 11 when they stepped out of their hotel in Phuket. They were later moved to Bangkok before being deported to India. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice had been issued against them after they left the country, prompting international coordination to trace their movements.

Upon arrival in Delhi, the brothers were taken into custody and are expected to be produced before a local court, where investigating agencies will seek transit remand to take them to Goa. Police have registered a case of culpable homicide and negligence against the duo, alleging that the nightclub was operating in violation of mandatory safety norms.

So far, Goa Police have arrested five people connected to the case, including managers and staff members of the nightclub. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining safety clearances, building permissions, and compliance records to determine responsibility for the tragedy.

The case has once again raised serious concerns about safety standards at nightlife venues across the country, especially during crowded weekend events, as families of the victims continue to seek justice for the lives lost in the devastating fire.

#Global News