Thai immigration authorities have initiated the deportation process for Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the Indian brothers wanted in connection with the deadly Goa nightclub fire. The duo, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane club in North Goa, were moved on Friday from a detention facility in Phuket to Bangkok, where they will complete final legal formalities before being sent back to India.

The Luthras were detained at a Phuket hotel just days after fleeing India on an IndiGo flight, following the December 6 fire that claimed 25 lives. Handcuffed and escorted by officials, they are now being taken to Bangkok to obtain emergency travel documents from the Indian embassy. Their actual return may face slight delays due to the upcoming weekend, but authorities expect them to be on a flight to India soon.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed that state and central agencies are closely coordinating with Thai officials, ensuring the brothers are arrested immediately upon arrival. Early investigations revealed that the fire erupted when electric firecrackers ignited the club’s wooden ceiling during a crowded event. The tragedy exposed severe safety lapses, leading to the arrest of five staff members on homicide charges.

The swift cross-border cooperation underscores the strength of India-Thailand extradition mechanisms, often used in cases involving fugitives linked to financial or nightlife-related crimes. Reports also suggest the Luthras have connections to numerous shell companies, intensifying scrutiny around their business activities. A Delhi court recently denied their bail plea, rejecting claims that they were only passive investors in the nightclub.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.