Indian Court Questions Co-Owners of Goa Nightclub After Fleeing Thailand Following Deadly Fire

As Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa where a massive fire on December 6 killed 25 people, werebrought to Indiafrom Thailand on Tuesday, CNN-News18 confronted them. The brothers arrived in the Indian capital in an Indigo flight and were immediately handed over to authorities for further legal proceedings. Gaurav, 44, and Saurabh, 40, wereproducedbefore Delhi’s Patiala court where the Goa police will seek their transit remand. “Why did you run away to Thailand," they were asked while being produced in Delhi court. Saurav Luthra confronted by CNN-News18 on fleeing after Goa nightclub fire which resulted in the death of 23 people#Luthras#SauravLuthra#Goa#GoaNightClub|@anany_bpic.twitter.com/7LIvOxntbQ— News18 (@CNNnews18)December 16, 2025 Gaurav Luthra responded with folded hands. Gaurav Luthra responds with folded hands as he is confronted by CNN-News18 on fleeing after Goa nightclub fire which resulted in the death of 23 people#GauravLuthra#Goa#GoaNightclubFire#Thailand#goaclub|@anany_bpic.twitter.com/Y890GeAeMW— News18 (@CNNnews18)December 16, 2025 The Luthras were also questioned at the airport, the formalities taking several hours. Several reporters and camerapersons were travelling on the flight. As the plane landed in Delhi, a TV reporter attempted to record the Luthra brothers inside the aircraft, prompting accompanying officials to tighten security around the two men and prevent them from talking to anybody. TheLuthrabrothers are facing a case of culpable homicide and negligence following the December 6 tragedy, which investigators allege was compounded by the nightclub operating in violation of mandatory fire safety norms. The incident raised serious questions over alleged fire safety violations and lapses by the management. Gaurav and Saurabh fled to Phuket in the early hours of December 7, hours after the fire at their nightclub, prompting the authorities to issue an Interpol Blue Corner Notice and cancel their passports. The duo was detained by Thai authorities at Phuket on December 11 following a request from the Indian government which later coordinated with officials in Thailand to deport them under legal treaties between the two nations. On December 11, a Delhi court rejected the transit anticipatory bail pleas. Additional Sessions Judge Vandana termed the allegations against the brothers “prima facie grave and serious" and severelycriticisedtheir “conduct". The court took note of the police investigation that the brothers had booked tickets to Phuket one hour after the fire, a fact their counsel had initially “concealed" while seeking protection from immediate arrest. The judge said that leaving immediately after thetragedywas a clear attempt to “evade the legal process". Swipe Left For Next Video Observing that “someone has to be held accountable" for the tragedy, the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday converted a civil suit against the nightclub into a public interest litigation (PIL).