The manhunt for Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of Goa’s Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, concluded in Phuket on December 9, when Thai authorities spotted them leaving their Patong hotel for a meal, where they had been hiding.
Thai officials in Phuket have begun the deportation process, enabling the brothers’ return to India to face investigation over last week’s fire that claimed 25 lives. The Luthra brothers had left India within hours of the tragic blaze, triggering a coordinated pursuit involving diplomatic, police, and immigration channels. A team from the Goa Police is now in Thailand to complete the final repatriation formalities.
Sources say the Indian Embassy in Bangkok is maintaining close coordination with Thai authorities regarding the case. Thai officials are acting in accordance with local laws, including measures to ensure the brothers’ return to India. According to News18, the brothers, who are currently in custody at Bangkok’s immigration office, could be flown to Delhi by Tuesday night.
Luthra Brothers: Timeline and Key Updates
Custody & Deportation
- Goa Police are expected to take custody of the Luthra brothers in Delhi and bring them to Goa by Wednesday. Central agencies will oversee the handover.
December 6–7, 2025 – Fire at Birch by Romeo Lane
- Around midnight, a massive fire broke out during a packed event in Arpora, North Goa.
- 25 people died, including five tourists, and several were injured.
- A magisterial inquiry is investigating negligence, structural violations, and responsibility.
Escape to Phuket
- The Luthra brothers fled India within hours of the blaze.
- They boarded an IndiGo flight to Phuket around 5:30 am on December 7.
December 7, 2025
- 9 am: Police completed FIR formalities.
- 10 am: Look-Out Circular (LoC) issued nationally, but brothers had already left India.
- Police teams moved to Delhi to coordinate with central agencies.
December 8, 2025
- Agencies confirmed the brothers were in Phuket.
- Strategy meetings with Goa CM Pramod Sawant ensured careful handling to avoid alerting the fugitives.
- CBI and Interpol were involved to issue a Blue-Corner Notice and revoke passports.
- Passport impoundment faced legal hurdles; after an urgent magistrate hearing, the order was cleared and shared with Thai authorities.
December 9, 2025 – Detention in Phuket
- Thai authorities intercepted the brothers outside their Patong hotel while they went out for a meal.
- Home Secretary coordinated with the Foreign Secretary to complete passport formalities quickly.
- Deportation procedures to India began.
Background: Club Financing & Investigation
Interrogation of the Luthra brothers in Goa is expected to clarify Khosla’s involvement and ongoing investigations.
