Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the brothers behind the Goa nightclub where a massive fire killed 25 people last week, have been deported from Thailand and are en route to India. The duo, who fled to Phuket hours after the tragedy, landed in Delhi this morning amid tight security, with Goa Police set to take custody for questioning.​

The inferno erupted late on December 6 at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, a popular spot packed with over 150 revelers enjoying a Bollywood night. Sparks from firecrackers ignited the highly flammable thatched roof and bamboo structure around 11:45 PM, trapping most victims—20 staff in the kitchen and basement, plus five tourists—in thick smoke. No fire alarms or extinguishers worked, and blocked exits worsened the chaos, leading to deaths mostly from inhalation.​

In a swift getaway, the Luthras booked flights from Delhi to Phuket via MakeMyTrip at 1:17 AM on December 7, departing before any formal case was filed. Thai authorities detained them days later following an Interpol notice and revoked passports under Indian law. Their partner, Ajay Gupta, was nabbed hiding in a Delhi hospital, alongside five staffers.​

Goa authorities revealed shocking lapses: the club ran illegally on salt pan land without permits, narrow roads delayed fire trucks, and no emergency protocols existed. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered demolitions of similar illegal venues, including the Luthras Kaha Club in Anjuna. This tragedy echoes past incidents like the 2017 Hollywood fire in Goa that claimed seven lives due to safety neglect.​ Facing culpable homicide charges, the brothers will appear before a magistrate as investigations deepen. Grieving families demand justice, spotlighting the urgent need for stricter safety rules in Indias party hotspots to prevent future disasters.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.