Luthra Brothers May Return To India In 24-48 Hours, Deportation Process ‘Almost Complete’

The deportation process of the Luthra brothers, the owner of the Goa nightclub which saw a deadly fire on December 6 that killed 25, is almost complete and they are likely to be brought to India from Thailand

in the next 24-48 hours, according to top government sources. Within hours of the incident, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, fled to Thailand. The Embassy of India in Bangkok then started the coordination prcess with the Thai authorities.

Legal hurdles in deportation cleared: Top government sources

“The deportation of the Luthra brothers from Thailand is almost complete. All legal and procedural hurdles have been cleared,” said sources.

#GoaFire | Official paper work causing delay in the deportation of Luthra Brothers, owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, the goa club where the tragic fire claimed 25 lives@Arunima24 share further details#Goa #GoaTragedy #Thailand | @DhantaNews pic.twitter.com/cFFiuiP1BA

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 14, 2025

The Thai authorities have extended complete cooperation and have acted swiftly after the cancellation of the visa of the duo and their detention. “The officialsare coordinating closely with Indian agencies to ensure smooth transfer,” said sources.
A multi-agency Indian team, including investigative and immigration linked authorities, is actively monitoring every stage of the deportation. “They don’t want to avoid delays or legal complications,” they said.

How Indian authorities swung into action

The Goa Police investigation revealed that the brothershad booked flight tickets to Thailand just as emergency teams were struggling to contain the fire and rescue those trapped inside. According to officials, the booking was made through a travel port at 1:17 am on December 7, while both the Goa Police and Fire Services were actively engaged in firefighting operations.
An Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued. It is a tool that legally authorises local police and immigration to locate, monitor, and present the individuals before a competent court.
The Indian authorities then revoked their passports under Section 10A of the Passports Act. This made sure the Luthra brothers automatically lost their lawful immigration status in Thailand, said sources. Thailand’s Immigration Act B.E. 2522 mandates detention of foreigners without valid documents.
After the cancellation of their visas, the Luthra brothers became illegal foreign nationals in Thailand. This caused detention and paved the way for expedited deportation under Thai immigration laws. “The deportation is being executed under established Interpol-linked legal procedures. This is to ensure Thailand sends them back to the port of origin, as per international norms. Local court formalities related to detention and deportation have been addressed. This is clearing the way for physical handover to Indian authorities,” sources told CNN-News18.

The Luthra brothers moved a Delhi court on Thursday for transit anticipatory bail, but their pleas were rejected on the grounds that the allegations against them were prima facie “grave and serious”.

Bringing the Luthra brothers back to India

As the passports are cancelled, India will have to issue an Emergency Travel Certificate. Without this out-pass, Thailand is legally prohibited from placing them on any outbound aircraft. Once ETCs are issued, deportation will done under Section 54 of Thailand’s Immigration Act. ETC requires returning the individual to the port of embarkation and that too the last airport from where they boarded the flight to Thailand. For the Luthras this is mandatory return to India not any third country.
On arrival in India, the two will be arrested under Look Out Circular conditions and immediately handed over to Goa Police for interrogation.