Justice on the Run: Goa Nightclub Owners Flee, Passports Suspended
This is a story of extreme negligence followed by a flat-out bolt for the border. The principal owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa—Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra—where 25 people were killed in a devastating fire, are now fugitives in Thailand, and the government is hitting back hard.
Here’s the kicker: the brothers booked flight tickets to Phuket, Thailand, at 1:17 AM on December 7, using the MakeMyTrip platform. X happened (the fire was still raging). And then Y followed (they were already plotting their escape hours after the blaze started). They boarded an IndiGo flight from Delhi at 5:30 AM. That shows intent to evade, or nothing.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant has assured they “won’t be spared,” and the legal machinery is moving fast.
The Legal Net Tightens
Passport Suspension (Section 10A): The Goa Police and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have suspended the passports of the Luthra brothers under Section 10A of the Passports Act, 1967.
The Impact: Since they already fled the country, this action temporarily invalidates their passports. This prevents them from traveling onwards from Phuket to any other country.
The Next Step: Sources say the cancellation of the passports will be the next step. Revocation would force them to seek an emergency travel document to return home or face deportation proceedings.
Interpol Blue Corner Notice: The brothers, currently believed to be in Phuket, are facing an Interpol Blue Corner Notice.
What it is: This is not an arrest warrant (like a Red Notice). A Blue Notice is an international alert issued to locate, identify, or collect information on a person of interest in a criminal investigation. It alerts law enforcement in all member countries (including Thailand) to track their movements and presence.
Domestic Arrest & Detention:
Partner Arrested: The Goa police have already arrested Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners/partners of the club, on Tuesday. Gupta claims he was only a “sleeping partner,” but the police are treating him as a key part of the operation.
Delhi Court Fails to Offer Relief: The Luthra brothers failed to secure interim relief from arrest from a Delhi court. They had requested four weeks of transit anticipatory bail, arguing they needed protection from immediate arrest upon returning. The court refused immediate protection, posting the matter for further hearing.
The investigation has confirmed the death toll at 25—comprising 20 staff members and five tourists. The police are now coordinating with the CBI and Interpol to ensure the brothers are brought back to India to face the charges related to this operational tragedy.
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Disclaimer: This information is based on public statements by Goa Police, the MEA, and court proceedings, and should be verified with official sources.
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