In a dramatic turn in the Goa nightclub fire case, brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra — accused in the blaze that killed 25 people — have been detained by Thai authorities. Images showing them in custody emerged from a police station in Phuket, where they are being held as Indian agencies prepare to bring them back to face charges. Indian officials are now working with Thailand to secure their deportation, opting for a faster route than formal extradition.
From Goa to Phuket: The Luthra Brothers’ Escape and Arrest
The Luthra siblings fled India within hours of the tragic fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in North Goa’s Arpora village. Videos released from Phuket show the brothers with handcuffs and their passports marked with cancellation stamps, a sign that their travel documents were no longer valid.
Their presence in Thailand was confirmed after Indian authorities issued an Interpol Blue Notice, triggering international cooperation. Thai police moved quickly once the notice was shared, leading to their arrest at a local police station.
Why Deportation Is Being Favored Over Extradition
India and Thailand have a bilateral extradition treaty signed in 2013, which allows for the return of suspects for offenses punishable by at least one year in prison. Since the Luthra brothers are accused of offences carrying a minimum five-year sentence under Indian law for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, the basic legal requirements of the treaty are met.
However, formal extradition proceedings can take years. The process requires India to make a formal request through diplomatic channels and prove “double criminality” — that the alleged acts are crimes in both countries. Cases like this have taught Indian authorities that extradition can be slow and complex.
Instead, India is opting for deportation — a faster administrative process that can send the brothers back more quickly because their passports were cancelled, making their stay in Thailand unlawful. Officials say this route will help secure their return well before an extradition application could be fully processed.
Legal Hurdles in Extradition vs Deportation of Luthra Brothers
To secure extradition, India must formally request Thailand’s judiciary to surrender the accused. This hinges on proving the double criminality principle — that the offense is punishable under both Indian and Thai law. The legal review could drag on, as seen in past international cases.
Departures from this path are becoming common when the accused lack valid travel documents and local law allows detention and removal on that basis. With their passports suspended, Thai authorities are empowered to hold the brothers and hand them over to Indian officials once deportation is approved.
India’s Push for Justice After the Fire
India has moved quickly since the December tragedy. The brothers’ passports were cancelled shortly after the fire, and an Interpol Blue Corner Notice helped alert Thai authorities. Meanwhile, raids at their Delhi residences found they had booked flights out of India on the morning of the fire, intensifying suspicions they attempted to evade the law.
Goa Police and central agencies have arrested other associates, including a business partner, while the Luthras remained at large — until now.
