Goa nightclub fire: Luthra brothers deported from Thailand to Delhi

Luthra brothers, owners of the Goa nightclub where a fire killed 25, have been deported from Thailand. The duo fled to Phuket after the blaze and were detained. They are being brought to Delhi to face remand proceedings in court.

The deportation process of the Luthra brothers, Gaurav and Saurabh owners of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Arpora, Goa, where 25 people were killed in a devastating fire on December 6, has been completed by Thai authorities and they have now boarded a flight for Delhi along with law enforcement officials. The duo, who fled to Phuket hours after the incident, will be brought to Delhi upon arrival in India. They are expected to be produced before the Patiala House Court for remand proceedings.

Arrest and Deportation Process

The Luthra brothers fled to Thailand shortly after the blaze on December 6, when emergency teams were still battling it. Thai Police had detained the brothers from a resort in Phuket on Thursday after India had moved to suspend their passports and requested the Thai authorities to deport them. An Indian law enforcement team is also coordinating formalities for the brother's return. This is possible under an extradition treaty between the two countries, which has been in force since 2015. Thai officials stressed that due process was followed as part of the cooperation between the two countries leading to the prompt lawful handover of the brothers.

Criminal Case Filed in Goa

The Goa Police had filed a criminal case dated December 07 at the Police Station Arpora Anjuna, North Goa, under sections 105, 125, 125(a), 125(b), and 287, read with 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.

Details of Alleged Negligence

The FIR states that on December 6, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, the accused persons, had organised a fire show at the restaurant Birch by Romeo Lane, Arpora, without taking proper precautions and without providing fire safety equipment and other safety measures. The fire show resulted in a serious fire, due to which 25 innocent people, including tourists and staff, succumbed to death and many others were seriously injured. The Luthra brothers, despite knowing that the restaurant does not have emergency exit doors on the ground or deck floors for evacuation in an emergency, organised the fire show. (ANI)

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