New developments have emerged in the investigation into the deadly fire at a Goa nightclub, as the first visuals of brothers Puneet and Bhavya Luthra — owners of the ill-fated Birch by Romeo Lane — surfaced following their dramatic arrest in Thailand. In the images, both men are seen holding up their cancelled passports while being escorted by Thai officials ahead of their deportation.
The pair had been absconding since the December 6 tragedy, which claimed 25 lives and left several others injured. According to investigators, the brothers booked last-minute tickets to Thailand even as fire crews battled the raging blaze at their North Goa property. Their attempt to evade authorities triggered an international alert, prompting Interpol to issue a Blue Corner Notice soon after a Look Out Circular was filed by Goa Police.
In response to a request from the Goa government, the Ministry of External Affairs promptly cancelled the duo’s passports, further tightening the noose around them. Thai police detained them shortly after the notice was circulated and moved them under escort to the airport for deportation procedures. They are expected to be brought back to India shortly to face questioning and legal action.
The Luthra brothers are among several individuals booked in connection with the incident. Their business associate Ajay Gupta, who had also fled, was arrested earlier this week in Delhi and transported to Goa on transit remand. Authorities believe operational negligence at the nightclub contributed significantly to the scale of the tragedy.
The fire, which ripped through the club in Arpora, killed both staff members and tourists. Preliminary assessments suggest that a pyrotechnic display may have ignited flammable material near the stage area. Many victims succumbed to suffocation after smoke rapidly spread into the lower sections of the club. Rescue teams also struggled due to the venue’s restricted entry points — a narrow bridge and a cramped doorway — which severely limited evacuation and delayed access for emergency vehicles parked nearly 400 metres away.
