Luthra Brothers Not Cooperating With Authorities In Goa Nightclub Fire Probe: Sources

Saurav and Gaurav Luthra, who own the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa where a fire claimed 25 lives, are reportedly not cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation, top sources told CNN-News18.

The Luthra brothers fled to Thailand soon after a massive fire broke out at their nightclub. They were deported to India on December 16 and were sent to five-day police custody. The duo, who had been produced before a court in Goa, had sought medical assistance from the court, but it was denied.

READ MORE: Goa Police Get 5-Day Custody Of Luthra Brothers, Court Rejects Medical Assistance Plea

According to sources, the Luthras are still being evasive in answering the questions of the Goa police. After every few hours, the brothers

complain of some health problem or pain in the back, chest or legs, even after medical examinations have shown no signs.

There have been four medical examinations of the accused in the last 36 hours. Authorities believe it to be a deliberate tactic by the brothers to waste critical police custody time.

Discrepancies have been found in their documents at various levels. Even after the Luthras fled to Thailand, the Goa Police contacted them and asked them to return and join the investigation, a request they flatly refused, reflecting a clear insensitivity towards the deceased, sources told CNN-News18.

The Luthra brothers are facing a case of culpable homicide and negligence following the December 6 tragedy, which investigators allege was compounded by the nightclub operating in violation of mandatory fire safety norms. The incident raised serious questions over alleged fire safety violations and lapses by the management.

Earlier on Tuesday, the two brothers were produced before a Delhi court after being deported from Thailand, where they had fled following the tragic incident. The court allowed the Goa Police their two-day transit remand. They were brought back to Delhi on an emergency certificate on Tuesday, from where they were brought to Goa.

The December 6 blaze, believed to have started during a fire show at the nightclub, prompted an Interpol Blue Corner Notice against them. Additional Sessions Judge Vandana termed the allegations against the brothers “prima facie grave and serious” and severely criticised their “conduct”.

Goa Police investigations have also found that the nightclub had allegedly been operating illegally for nearly 18 months without mandatory approvals and on an expired licence that had not been renewed since 2024. Police also alleged that the brothers were directly responsible for organising fireworks at the venue on December 6 without adequate precautions or proper safety equipment.