Goa: Hours after a catastrophic fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa claimed 25 lives over the weekend, the club’s owners, brothers Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, fled India and landed in Phuket, Thailand, leaving authorities scrambling to initiate legal proceedings against them. The brothers, Delhi-based entrepreneurs, left India on an early morning IndiGo flight at 5:30 am on Sunday, just hours after the blaze that has shaken the state and drawn nationwide attention.

With the brothers now outside the country, the question of extradition has become central. India and Thailand are bound by an extradition treaty signed in 2013, which lays out the legal framework for the return of persons facing prosecution, trial, or execution of punishment for criminal offenses. According to the treaty, for extradition to proceed, the alleged offense must be punishable under the laws of both countries, with a minimum sentence of one year imprisonment or deprivation of liberty. The treaty also extends to cases of attempt, aiding, abetting, or incitement related to such offenses.

Under the treaty, the Attorney General of Thailand serves as the central authority responsible for processing extradition requests. India, as the requesting state, must submit a formal, written request accompanied by supporting documentation, including a copy of the arrest warrant. Once the request is received, Thai authorities evaluate whether the case meets treaty criteria and decide on the subsequent legal and procedural steps.

However, the treaty also includes specific grounds for refusal. Extradition can be denied if the requested state—Thailand, in this case—deems the alleged offense to be political in nature. Similarly, extradition may be refused if the person is believed to be targeted due to race, religion, nationality, or political opinion, or if there is concern over the fairness of the trial or conditions of detention in the requesting country. While the nightclub fire case does not appear to fall under these exceptions, these clauses are standard safeguards in international extradition law.

Meanwhile, Indian authorities have acted swiftly to locate the Luthra brothers. Look-out notices have been issued at airports and immigration points, alongside an Interpol Blue Notice, which alerts international law enforcement agencies to the brothers’ location and helps facilitate their apprehension abroad. In addition, the brothers’ passports have been impounded, a measure intended to prevent further international travel and to support legal procedures for extradition.

In India, legal proceedings continue. The Luthra brothers have filed for anticipatory bail in Delhi’s Rohini Court, seeking protection from immediate arrest upon their return. Senior advocates representing them have argued that they were merely licensees of the club and that the incident cannot be directly attributed to them, describing the ongoing scrutiny as a “witch-hunt.” Their anticipatory bail plea is being considered alongside responses from the Goa government, and the matter has been listed for further hearing.

The Goa nightclub fire, which occurred in the early hours between Saturday and Sunday, is believed to have been triggered by a cylinder blast inside the club. The tragedy claimed 25 lives, including those of three individuals from Assam, highlighting the human cost and the vulnerability of migrant workers who often take up employment in distant cities. In the wake of the fire, law enforcement has arrested several local managers and staff involved with the club, while investigations continue into negligence, safety violations, and compliance with licensing norms.

From a legal perspective, the extradition of the Luthra brothers will hinge on careful adherence to treaty protocols. Thailand’s Attorney General will scrutinize India’s request to ensure all procedural and evidentiary requirements are met. Any delay or deficiency in documentation could slow down the process, though India’s strong diplomatic ties and prior successful extraditions from Thailand may help accelerate proceedings. Over the past decade, several fugitives have been returned from Bangkok to India, providing precedent for swift action in high-profile cases.

The unfolding events underscore the interconnectedness of criminal law, international treaties, and diplomatic cooperation. As Indian authorities seek justice for the victims, the Luthra brothers’ absence has intensified public scrutiny of both the incident and the legal mechanisms available to hold foreign-based or fleeing suspects accountable. Meanwhile, families of the victims, including those from Assam and other parts of India, await the resolution of legal processes as they continue to mourn their loss.

While the Luthra brothers remain in Thailand, the focus of Indian authorities is on securing their safe and legal return. The interplay between anticipatory bail proceedings, extradition protocols, and international law will determine the timeline for their appearance before Indian courts. Authorities are optimistic, given the procedural clarity provided under the India-Thailand treaty, that the brothers can be brought back to face trial and accountability for the tragic events at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub.

In the coming days, legal experts expect a dual-track approach: monitoring the bail petition in Delhi while simultaneously pursuing the extradition request through diplomatic and legal channels. The incident has brought to the forefront not just questions of accountability for negligence and safety violations, but also the challenges of enforcing criminal justice across international borders.

As India watches closely, the case is likely to set a precedent for future cross-border criminal cases involving Indian nationals and expatriate suspects, particularly in incidents with significant public impact. For now, the legal, diplomatic, and investigative machinery is mobilized, balancing procedural rigor with the urgent demand for justice for the 25 lives lost in Goa.