New Delhi: The Rohini Court of Delhi on Wednesday declined to grant immediate interim relief to Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the Delhi-based entrepreneurs and owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, which was engulfed in flames over the past weekend, claiming at least 25 lives. The brothers had approached the Delhi court seeking anticipatory bail as they feared arrest upon returning to India.

During the hearing, the court sought a formal response from the Goa government regarding the transit anticipatory bail petition filed by the Luthra brothers. The matter has been scheduled for further consideration on Thursday, December 11. The brothers, represented by senior advocates Sidharth Luthra and Tanvir Ahmed Mir, argued that they should be allowed to safely return to India and then approach the local courts in Goa for appropriate relief. They stressed that they were not directly responsible for the tragic fire, claiming that the culpability rests with the local management of the club, who have already been arrested. The brothers contended that the state authorities were conducting a ‘witch-hunt’ against them, asserting that as licensees, they cannot be held fully accountable for operational lapses at the club.

Flight to Thailand and Ongoing Search

Following the fire, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra reportedly fled India and are currently in Phuket, Thailand. Indian law enforcement agencies are coordinating with Thai authorities to geo-locate the brothers and secure their deportation to India in connection with the ongoing investigation. Officials believe that the brothers can be brought back swiftly due to established cooperation between Indian and Thai agencies in criminal matters, noting that several fugitives have been extradited from Bangkok over the past decade.

According to police reports, the Luthra brothers departed for Phuket on an IndiGo flight at 5:30 am on Sunday, merely six hours after the fire broke out at the club in north Goa. The incident, which occurred around midnight, resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals, including staff and patrons, amid allegations of safety violations and mismanagement. Goa police officers attempting to locate the brothers at their Delhi residence on Monday found it empty, later confirming that they had boarded the flight to Thailand.

Following their departure, the Goa police issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) through the Bureau of Immigration in Mumbai. Deputy Superintendent of Police and Public Relations Officer Nilesh Rane stated that the brothers’ immediate flight to Thailand indicated intent to evade investigation, underscoring the urgency of coordinating with Thai authorities to ensure their return.

Legal Proceedings and Accountability

The Delhi-based entrepreneurs argued before the court that their role in the nightclub’s operations was limited to licensing, and the operational and managerial responsibilities lay with the local staff. They emphasized that the ongoing arrests of local managers vindicate their stance that they should not be held personally culpable. Despite this, the Delhi court refrained from granting interim relief, highlighting the need to consider the Goa government’s perspective and the seriousness of the incident.

The tragic fire has sparked widespread outrage in Goa and across India, drawing attention to safety lapses in entertainment venues. Authorities are investigating potential violations of fire safety norms, operational mismanagement, and other regulatory lapses that may have contributed to the disaster. The deaths of 25 people have intensified scrutiny of nightclub licensing protocols and raised questions about accountability for owners, managers, and local authorities.

Next Steps

The Delhi court will hear the matter further on December 11, when the Goa government is expected to formally respond to the anticipatory bail plea. In parallel, efforts to locate and deport the Luthra brothers from Thailand are ongoing, with officials optimistic that the strong bilateral cooperation will facilitate their prompt return.

The incident has also prompted discussions about transit bail protocols, the responsibilities of license holders, and mechanisms for holding owners accountable when management failures result in loss of life. Legal experts note that cases of this nature often involve complex coordination between states, central authorities, and foreign governments, particularly when suspects leave the country in the immediate aftermath of a major incident.

Meanwhile, the investigation in Goa continues in full swing, with authorities focusing on establishing the sequence of events that led to the fire, verifying safety compliance, and ensuring that justice is served for the victims and their families. The Luthra brothers’ return and participation in the investigation are seen as critical for resolving questions about liability and the role of ownership versus operational management.

As the legal and procedural developments unfold, the tragic fire at Birch by Romeo Lane stands as a grim reminder of the need for stringent safety measures, vigilant oversight, and robust accountability mechanisms in entertainment and hospitality venues across the country.