Luthra Brothers Were Already in Delhi While Fire Killed 25: How They Planned To Escape But Failed

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Delhi: The Luthra brothers, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa where 25 people died in a devastating fire last week, were already in Delhi attending a wedding when the fire broke out. What followed, investigators say, was a carefully executed escape plan that quickly collapsed, leading to their detention in Thailand and an imminent deportation to India.

Wedding in Delhi, Quick Exit Plans and a Midnight Flight to Phuket

According to officials, Gaurav (44) and Saurabh (40) Luthra were informed about the fire while at a wedding in the Capital. They “immediately made a getaway plan”, with documents later revealing that their tickets to Phuket were booked on 7 December at 1.17 am. The flight left at 5.20 am, several hours after the fire had already taken place.This contradicted what their lawyer initially told the court, that the brothers had left for Thailand before the blaze, a claim the judge said was “concealed”.Their nightclub’s licence agreement, trade licence and lease deed had all expired, court filings further showed.

Ajay Gupta Also Attempted to Evade Police

Co-accused Ajay Gupta, arrested on Wednesday, was in Goa when the fire broke out but was not at the club. He flew to Delhi on Sunday morning. When Goa Police reached his Gurugram residence, he had vanished. He was later traced after allegedly admitting himself to a hospital in Lajpat Nagar.Sources say the movements of all three accused show “the accused tried to escape and hide themselves”.

“I Will Be Lynched in Goa”: What the Luthras Told Court

In their anticipatory bail plea before the Rohini court in Delhi, the Luthra brothers claimed they faced a serious threat.One of them argued through counsel, “There is a direct threat to my safety. I will be lynched in Goa. My other restaurants have been bulldozed straight away… We will join the investigation… I shall be prosecuted but not persecuted.”Represented by senior advocates Sidharth Luthra and Tanvir Ahmed Mir, they sought four weeks of transit anticipatory bail, saying they wished to approach courts in Goa for further relief.But on 12 December, Additional Sessions Judge Vandana rejected the plea, saying the “offence is grave and serious” and that there was no immediate danger to justify bail. The court also noted their attempt to evade the investigation.“Once it is shown that a person is attempting to evade the process of law, the court should not come to his aid at all,” Goa’s counsel argued.

Deportation in Motion: Why It Is Delayed by Four Days

Officials say the deportation of the Luthra brothers from Thailand is “on the right track”. However, there will be a four-day delay due to procedural steps:

1. Their Indian visas must be cancelled.
2. An Emergency Certificate must be issued in their names.
3. They will then be taken to Bangkok for exit processing.
4. Another Emergency Certificate will be issued for travel back to India.
5. Two non-working days — Saturday and Sunday — have further pushed timelines.

Once completed, Goa Police and CBI teams stationed in Thailand will fly the brothers back to India.

Court Rejects Medical Grounds and Finds No Shield for Evasion

The court dismissed Gaurav Luthra’s claim of a seizure disorder and hypertension, saying the medical papers were “old documents” and showed no acute condition meriting urgent relief.It added, “The action taken by the investigating authority or by the court, as per law, cannot be said to be an apprehension of threat to life.”The brothers remain free to apply for bail in a Goa court once they return.

Goa Cracks Down on Nightclubs After Fire

Following the tragedy, Goa authorities have sealed multiple establishments over licensing violations, including one nightclub at Vagator built on agricultural land. While not owned by the Luthras, officials say it is part of a state-wide crackdown.Goa has now banned fireworks, pyrotechnic effects, flame throwers and smoke generators inside tourist venues, equipment believed to have triggered the Birch fire.The Luthra brothers are accused of:

• Injury causing death
• Manslaughter
• Murder for organising a fire show “without taking proper care and caution” and without adequate fire-safety equipment.

Ajay Gupta Remanded; Says He Was a ‘Sleeping Partner’

A Goa court has remanded Ajay Gupta to seven days of police custody. Speaking to reporters while being escorted by police, Gupta said: “I don’t know anything. I have no involvement. I was a sleeping partner and had no say in the operations of the club.”Police have also arrested five managers and staff members connected to the nightclub.

Political Reactions as India Awaits Their Return

Union Minister Shripad Naik confirmed the arrest of the brothers abroad and questioned why they fled. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said police and CBI teams would bring them back “as soon as possible”.With their attempted escape exposed and deportation now underway, the Luthra brothers are expected to face tough questioning once they are brought back to India.