The international chase to bring the co-owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub to justice concluded on Tuesday as Thailand authorities deported Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra back to India.
The brothers had fled to Phuket hours after the devastating fire on December 6, which claimed the lives of 25 people, including staff and tourists.
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The Timeline of the Manhunt
| Date | Event | Significance |
| Dec 6 | Fire breaks out at the nightclub in Arpora, North Goa. | 25 confirmed deaths, primarily due to suffocation and burns. |
| Dec 7 (Early) | Luthra brothers board a flight to Phuket, Thailand. | Police accuse them of deliberately evading investigation. |
| Dec 9 | Goa Police secure an Interpol Blue Corner Notice against the duo. | This Notice is an international alert used to collect information on a person’s location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation. |
| Dec 11 | Thai authorities detain the brothers in Phuket after the Indian Mission intervenes and the MEA suspends their passports. | Their plea for transit anticipatory bail in a Delhi court was rejected. |
| Dec 16 | The brothers are deported from Bangkok to India. | They will be immediately handed over to the Goa Police for formal arrest and questioning. |
The Charges and Alleged Negligence
The Goa Police have registered a criminal case against the Luthra brothers and other management staff under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 105 (Culpable Homicide), which carries a provision for imprisonment of up to 10 years.
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Initial investigations have revealed severe safety violations and regulatory lapses:
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Cause: The fire is suspected to have been caused by improperly used indoor electrical firecrackers during a high-risk performance.
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Safety Lapses: The nightclub was allegedly operating without a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department and lacked basic safety measures, including fire alarms, sprinklers, and clearly marked emergency exits.
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Illegal Construction: The club had allegedly violated several building regulations, with some structures reportedly built illegally on a salt pan.
The thing is, the investigation is not just focused on the owners; five managers and staff members have already been arrested, and the role of government officials who granted permissions or overlooked violations is also under intense scrutiny…..
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