In the wake of a devastating fire that killed 25 people at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, authorities have suspended the passports of owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, two Delhi-based brothers now detained in Phuket, Thailand. The blaze erupted on December 6, trapping revelers and staff in the popular North Goa venue, sparking outrage over alleged safety violations and a swift getaway by the proprietors.​

The Luthras booked flights out of India mere hours after the fire, departing for Thailand while rescue operations continued, according to police timelines. India's Ministry of External Affairs acted under the Passports Act to halt their travel, following urgent requests from Goa Police and an Interpol Blue Corner notice. A team from Goa is en route to Thailand to coordinate their deportation for questioning on negligence charges.​

This isn't the first red flag for the Luthra-operated spot. Local bodies had issued repeated notices since 2024 for unauthorized expansions into protected salt pans and coastal areas, including a demolished beach shack at Vagator. Critics point to lax enforcement in Goa's booming nightlife scene, drawing parallels to earlier tragedies like the 2023 Parsenn disco inferno that exposed similar fire safety gaps.​

Five staffers and business partner Ajay Gupta remain in custody as investigations probe missing fire exits, inadequate equipment, and overcrowding. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant pledged stricter audits for all party venues, signaling a potential crackdown to protect tourists flocking to the state's beaches.​ The case highlights risks in India's hospitality rush, where rapid expansions often outpace safety checks—urging operators nationwide to prioritize compliance over profits. Updates expected as extradition unfolds.