New information from the transit remand application filed by the Goa Police has explained why nightclub owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra were taken into custody in connection with the deadly Goa nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives.
As per remand documents accessed by CNN-News18 and submitted before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) at Delhi’s Patiala House Court, the Luthra brothers were described as the ‘main owners’ of Birch by Romeo Lane, located in Arpora, Bardez, Goa. Police informed the court that the brothers had complete control over how the nightclub functioned.
Investigators stated that the Luthras were in charge of safety arrangements, statutory approvals and the events organised at the venue. The court observed that enough material had been placed on record to establish their role as owners and partners, making them responsible for operational and safety-related decisions.
Police further alleged that the brothers had organised fireworks at the nightclub on December 6 without following safety norms or arranging proper safety equipment. The fire broke out around 11.45 pm when over 150 people were inside the club. Preliminary findings suggested that electric firecrackers struck the wooden ceiling, causing the fire to spread quickly.
Transit remand granted after accused brought back from Thailand
The Patiala House Court granted the Goa Police a 48-hour transit remand, allowing them to take the accused to Goa for further questioning. The brothers were produced before the court soon after being deported from Thailand, where they had allegedly fled after the incident.
Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra were brought back from Bangkok on emergency travel certificates and arrived in Delhi on an IndiGo flight at around 2.10 pm. They were arrested immediately at Indira Gandhi International Airport and later presented before the court by joint teams of the Delhi Crime Branch and Goa Police.
Investigators claimed that the brothers left the country within hours of the fire, even as rescue and firefighting operations were still underway. Thai authorities detained them last week for overstaying without valid documents. Following the issuance of a lookout circular, the Ministry of External Affairs impounded their passports, enabling their return under the India-Thailand extradition framework.
Further investigation revealed that the nightclub had allegedly been operating illegally for nearly 18 months without mandatory permissions and on an expired licence. Several others, including Gurgaon-based partner Ajay Gupta and senior managerial staff, have also been arrested as the probe continues.
