Goa Police told the court on Wednesday that Delhi-based businessmen Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra — under investigation in the tragic Goa nightclub fire — had “misled authorities” and showed “no cooperation” during the probe. The fire, which tore through their nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora on December 6, claimed 25 lives.
During the hearing of their anticipatory bail pleas, police argued that the brothers attempted to obscure the timeline of their departure from India. According to investigators, the duo — owners of the Romeo Lane restaurant chain — flew to Phuket in the early hours of December 7, hours after the fire broke out; despite initially claiming they had left on the night of December 6.
“They have no business in Thailand. They misled the court, misled the authorities, and left the country,” Goa Police told the court, according to news agency ANI. The police further said that the brothers’ conduct disqualified them from receiving “extraordinary protection” from arrest, the Hindustan Times reports.
The devastating fire erupted during a musical night attended by nearly 100 people. Videos captured moments before the blaze showed performers dancing as electric firecrackers were set off—suspected to be the trigger that ignited the inferno.
Investigators later found that the club was heavily decorated with flammable materials and lacked working fire extinguishers and alarms. Adding to the tragedy, the narrow approach road forced fire engines to stop almost 400 meters away, trapping guests and staff inside the basement area. Most victims died from inhaling toxic smoke.
Investigation Narrows in on Owners
Their business partner, Ajay Gupta, was arrested in Delhi and subsequently transferred to Goa for further questioning.
In their bail applications, the Luthras argued that they were only licensees — not owners — of the building housing the nightclub. They claimed they travelled to Thailand for a business meeting and had no intention of evading the investigation. They also emphasized that they were not present at the club when the fire occurred.
They have requested four weeks of transit anticipatory bail to ensure they are not detained immediately upon returning to India.
Both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra have been detained in Thailand. Authorities expect them to be deported soon, after which Goa Police intend to proceed with their custodial interrogation.
