The deportation process of Luthra brothers, Gaurav and Saurabh, owners of ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in Goa’s Arpora, where 25 people died in a massive fire on December 6, has been completed by Thai authorities. Now he has flown to Delhi along with law enforcement officials.
Both the accused, who fled to Phuket a few hours after the incident, will be brought to Delhi upon reaching India. He is likely to be produced in Patiala House Court for remand proceedings.
The Luthra brothers fled Thailand soon after the fire broke out on December 6, while emergency teams were still extinguishing the fire.
Thai police took the brothers into custody at a resort in Phuket on Thursday, after India suspended their passports and requested Thai authorities to deport them.
The Indian law enforcement team is also coordinating the necessary formalities for the return of the brothers.
This is possible under the extradition treaty between the two countries in force since 2015. Thai authorities stressed that due process was followed as part of cooperation between the two countries, resulting in the brothers being handed over quickly and legally.
Goa Police had registered a criminal case under sections 105, 125, 125(A), 125(B) and 287 read with section 3(5) of the Indian Judicial Code 2023 at Arpora Anjuna police station in North Goa on December 7.
The FIR states that on December 6, accused Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra had organized a fire show at Birch Restaurant, Romeo Lane, Arpora, without taking proper precautions and without providing fire safety equipment and other safety measures.
This display of fire resulted in a massive fire that killed 25 innocent people, including tourists and staff, and seriously injured many others.
The Luthra brothers staged the fire demonstration despite knowing that there were no emergency exits on the ground floor or deck of the restaurant.
