A Delhi court on Tuesday allowed the Goa Police to take Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of a Goa nightclub linked to a deadly fire, on 48-hour transit remand. The tragic incident earlier this month claimed the lives of 25 people.
Luthra Brothers Produced in Delhi Court After Deportation
The two brothers were brought before the Patiala House Court after being deported from Thailand, where they had fled soon after the fire. The Goa Police took them into custody at Indira Gandhi International Airport and completed all legal procedures before presenting them in court.
During the hearing, both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra broke down and cried after seeing their family members inside the courtroom.
#WATCH | Delhi | Luthra brothers-Gaurav and Saurabh brought to Patiala House Court by Goa Police.
Gaurav Luthra folds his hands when asked by reporters if he has any regrets and why they fled from India. pic.twitter.com/FS8okWnO3v
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025
Arrest After Arrival From Bangkok
The brothers were flown back to India from Bangkok using an emergency certificate and landed in Delhi on an IndiGo flight around 2.10 pm. They were arrested immediately after landing and later produced before the court by teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Goa Police, which requested transit remand to take them to Goa for further questioning.
Accused Allegedly Fled Hours After Fire
Investigators claim the Luthra brothers left the country just hours after the fire broke out on December 6, even while rescue and firefighting operations were still underway at the nightclub.
Thai authorities detained them last week for overstaying without valid travel documents. They were later moved to Bangkok, where Indian authorities began formal steps to bring them back.
Passports Impounded, Extradition Process Initiated
Following their detention, the Regional Passport Office in New Delhi issued notices to the brothers seeking clarification regarding their travel documents. After a lookout circular was issued, the Ministry of External Affairs impounded their passports.
Since India and Thailand have an extradition treaty, their return to India was completed smoothly.
How the Fire Broke Out
The deadly fire erupted around 11.45 pm, when more than 150 people were present inside the nightclub for an event. A preliminary probe by the police and the Directorate of Fire Services found that the blaze started after electric firecrackers struck the wooden ceiling, causing the structure to catch fire rapidly.
Club Allegedly Ran Without Approvals
Goa Police investigations revealed that the nightclub had allegedly been operating illegally for nearly 18 months, without mandatory safety approvals. The club was also running on an expired licence, which had not been renewed since 2024.
Despite these serious violations, no enforcement action was taken before the fatal incident occurred.
Multiple Arrests Made So Far
Several people have already been arrested in connection with the case. This includes Gurgaon-based partner Ajay Gupta, senior management officials of the nightclub, and other key individuals involved in its operations.
The investigation is ongoing, with Goa Police continuing to gather evidence to establish accountability for the tragedy.
