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Goa Nightclub Fire News Live Updates: Deportation of Luthra brothers under way, says police; custody of accused Bharat Kohli extended

THE TIMES OF INDIA | Dec 12, 2025, 21:58:03 IST

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live Updates: Deportation of Luthra brothers under way, says police; custody of accused Bharat Kohli extended

The Goa nightclub fire that killed 25 people on Saturday night triggered a multi-agency manhunt after co-owners Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra fled to Thailand hours after the incident. The brothers were detained in Phuket and transferred to Bangkok’s Immigration Centre after the MEA suspended their passports, making them illegal residents in Thailand. Indian authorities are now completing formalities to bring them back, while Goa Police continue to arrest those linked to the club’s operations. Investigations reveal the fire began after electric fireworks ignited the wooden ceiling, leading to rapid spread. The administration has since banned fireworks in all Goa tourist hotspots and demolished illegal structures at the nightclub.

Key Points:

Fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub around 11:45pm Saturday, killing 25 people.
Triggered by electric firecrackers hitting the wooden ceiling, causing rapid blaze.
Co-owners Saurabh & Gaurav Luthra fled to Phuket early Sunday.
Their flight booked at 1:17am, barely hours after the tragedy.
Claimed in court they were “on a business trip”, denied running away.
MEA suspended their passports, rendering them illegal in Thailand.
Interpol Blue Corner notice issued to track their location.
Thai police detained them in Phuket, later shifted to Bangkok Immigration Centre.
Indian Embassy preparing Emergency Travel Certificates.
Possible return to India Friday or Monday, depending on documentation.
Delhi court refused immediate protection; questioned timing of departure.
Their counsel argued they were being treated “as if they lit the fire”.
Six others arrested, including partner Ajay Gupta, traced from Delhi hospital.
North Goa district bans fireworks/pyrotechnics inside tourist establishments.
Authorities razed illegal constructions at the club site.

21:58 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live Updates: AAP leader Kejriwal demands Goa CM Pramod Sawant’s apology over Arpora fire

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal said Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant must apologise to the public for the Arpora nightclub fire that killed 25 people last week.

Addressing a public meeting in South Goa, Kejriwal alleged that the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub was operating without mandatory permissions and continued to function because it allegedly paid bribes to government officials.

“I want to ask Pramod Sawant — is there any activity in Goa that happens without bribing officials?” he said.

Calling the Sawant administration “one of the most corrupt” in the country, Kejriwal said the least the chief minister could do is apologise for the Arpora tragedy and ensure safety checks across all establishments.

He added that a state once celebrated for its natural beauty is now becoming “known for corruption and the Arpora incident.”

19:59 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live Updates: Deportation of Luthra brothers under way, says police; custody of accused Bharat Kohli extended

Deportation procedures for the Luthra brothers from Thailand are in progress, and the Goa Police are in continuous coordination with central agencies, the police said in a press note.

The Goa Police also confirmed that police custody of another accused in the club fire case, Bharat Kohli, has been extended by six days to allow further investigation into the incident, which claimed 25 lives.

The press note added that the Sessions Court in Mapusa has issued notices regarding the anticipatory bail applications filed by Arpora Panchayat Sarpanch Roshan Redkar and Secretary Raghuvir Bagkar. The Goa Police requested additional time to file a detailed response, and the court granted time until December 16 at 2:30 pm for the reply and the arguments.

According to officials, more than 50 statements have been recorded so far from people connected to the case, including officials, workers and victims.

18:19 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live Updates: ‘Will happen fast’- MP Ujjwal Nikam on expected deportation of Luthra brothers detained in Thailand

Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam on Friday commented on the possible deportation of the Luthra brothers from Thailand, saying that while it is too early to estimate how long the process will take, he believes the deportation of the Goa club owners “will happen fast.”

Speaking about the detention of the accused brothers in Thailand, Nikam said that a local court will examine the evidence submitted by the authorities under Thai law.

“No doubt the Goa Police has taken swift action in deploying their team and bringing evidence to Bangkok, which they will have to present before a court there. Our teams have to present evidence to the court there, which will be assessed under their laws. It would be premature to say how much time it will take for the whole process, but I think it will happen fast,” Nikam told ANI.

Meanwhile, sources said the Luthra brothers—Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra—who are wanted in connection with the deadly fire at Goa’s Birch Hotel, have been detained in Thailand and are expected to be deported to India soon.

18:16 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live Updates: Indian Embassy coordinates with Thailand; Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra held in Phuket

The Embassy of India in Bangkok is closely coordinating with Thai authorities on the case connected to the fatal fire at Goa’s Birch Hotel, involving Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, sources said. According to officials, the two men were detained in Phuket after the Embassy’s intervention.

Thai authorities are now handling the case under local laws, including procedures to deport them to India.

14:23 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live Updates: Landowner alleges illegal zoning change at fire-hit Birch nightclub site

Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar claims his Arpora land was secretly converted from a salt pan to a settlement zone—without notice and despite a 21-year legal battle—alleging the change enabled the nightclub later run by the Luthra brothers. The claim surfaces days after the December 6 blaze that killed 25 people, as Goa’s Town and Country Planning Department says an inquiry is underway.

12:09 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live Updates: Tourist assault allegations resurface as Goa reviews Luthras’ Romeo Lane nightclub

Vaibhavi’s November account of being chased, assaulted, and blocked from exiting Romeo Lane has reignited concerns over safety and staff conduct. The club, co-owned by Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra—now detained in Thailand following the deadly Birch fire—faces renewed scrutiny over tourist protection and regulatory oversight.

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11:31 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live: Luthra Brothers shifted to Bangkok immigration centre

In a significant development, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra were moved to Thailand’s Immigration Division Centre, marking the final administrative step before their deportation to India. Officials say the shift indicates the repatriation process is now in its last phase.

11:30 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live, Luthra Brothers: Accused moved ahead of deportation

The transfer of the Luthra brothers from Phuket to Bangkok comes as Indian authorities, in coordination with the Indian Embassy, complete the remaining paperwork required to bring them back to face legal proceedings in the Goa nightclub fire case that killed 25 people.

11:30 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live, Luthra Brothers: Luthras may be flown back to India today or Monday

Sources say the repatriation could occur as early as today or on Monday, depending on how quickly the emergency travel certificate — required after their passports were suspended — is finalised by the Indian Embassy in Bangkok.

11:29 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live, Luthra Brothers: Thai Police detained Luthras after passport suspension

The brothers were declared persona non grata in Thailand once their Indian passports were suspended, prompting Thai police to detain them at India’s request. They now remain in custody as deportation formalities advance rapidly.

11:29 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live, Luthra Brothers: Emergency travel certificate for Luthras

The Indian Embassy is working on issuing the emergency travel certificate that will allow the Luthra brothers to board a flight back to India without valid passports. This remains the final key requirement before their handover.

11:29 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live, Luthra Brothers: Bangkok facility housing brothers

The Immigration Division Centre in Bangkok — where the Luthras are currently lodged — serves as Thailand’s holding facility for individuals awaiting deportation, indicating how close the accused are to being escorted back to India.

11:28 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live, Luthra Brothers: Indian agencies achieve breakthrough

The swift detention and relocation of the Luthra brothers highlight the coordinated effort between Indian law enforcement, diplomatic channels, and Thai authorities to secure their return in connection with the fatal Goa nightclub fire.

11:28 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live, Luthra Brothers: From Phuket detention to Bangkok transfer

After being detained in Phuket early Thursday at India’s request, the Luthras were quickly shifted to Bangkok as part of a fast-moving process that involves diplomatic approvals, travel documentation, and final clearance for deportation.

11:27 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live, Luthra Brothers: What awaits Luthras in India after deportation

While their return appears imminent, legal experts say the exact nature of the proceedings the brothers will face upon arrival — including custody, interrogation and charges linked to the nightclub blaze — will unfold once they land in India.

11:27 (IST) Dec 12

Goa Nightclub Fire News Live, Luthra Brothers: Paperwork nearly complete; Luthras’ return imminent

With administrative formalities close to completion, officials confirm that the brothers’ deportation is only pending issuance of the emergency certificate — the last procedural hurdle before they are flown back under escort.

Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of Goa’s Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub where a devastating fire killed 25 people last Saturday, are now on the brink of being deported to India after being detained in Thailand. The brothers, who fled to Phuket within hours of the blaze, were taken into custody by Thai police early Thursday and later shifted to Bangkok’s Immigration Division Centre — the final stop before repatriation. Their passports were suspended by the Ministry of External Affairs, rendering them illegal residents in Thailand and triggering immediate police action.

Indian authorities are now awaiting the issuance of emergency travel certificates by the Indian Embassy in Bangkok, the last procedural requirement before the duo can be flown back. Officials say the brothers could be returned to India as early as Friday or Monday, depending on paperwork completion. Their detention follows rapid coordination between Goa Police, MEA, CBI and Interpol, which issued a Blue Corner notice to locate and track the fugitives.

The Luthras had approached a Delhi court earlier this week for transit anticipatory bail, claiming they were on a business trip and faced a “witch hunt”. The court rejected immediate relief, questioning their timing of departure — flight tickets were booked at 1.17am on Sunday, barely hours after the fire broke out at 11.45pm Saturday.

Meanwhile, Goa Police have arrested six others linked to the nightclub’s operations, including partner Ajay Gupta, who was tracked down from a Delhi hospital. A preliminary probe has found that the fire erupted when electric firecrackers hit the club’s wooden ceiling. Following the tragedy, North Goa district administration has banned fireworks and pyrotechnics inside all tourist establishments, while unauthorised structures at the nightclub premises have been demolished.

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