A Delhi court on Thursday rejected the transit anticipatory bail plea of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, where a fire last week killed at least 25 people. The brothers had applied for four weeks of protection from arrest on Wednesday.
According to Goa Police, the brothers booked their flight at 1.15 am, shortly after the fire, and flew to Thailand on December 7 at 5 am, a move the police described as an attempt to evade arrest. A coordinated, multi-agency operation across two countries eventually led to their detention in Thailand.
Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, wanted in the Goa Birch Hotel fire case, are now expected to be deported to India soon. Meanwhile, their partner Ajay Gupta—who was arrested in Delhi and brought to Goa on the night of December 10—has been remanded to seven days of police custody for further investigation.
Probe Uncovers 42 Suspected Shell Companies
As the investigation in the case progresses, a significant revelation has emerged. Documents recovered from the accused show that the Luthra Brothers group is linked to 42 different companies and LLPs, most of which have no real business activity, production, or services. Investigators believe these entities functioned largely as shell companies.
Multiple Firms Registered at One Delhi Address
Further scrutiny has revealed that most of these companies are registered at the same Delhi address: 2590, Ground Floor, Hudson Line, North West Delhi. According to police officials, such clustering of registrations often indicates benami operations or money laundering. Investigators suspect the companies were used to channel unaccounted funds rather than conduct legitimate business.
Phuket Outlet Claim Found to Be False
Another claim by the Luthras’ business network has also been found to be false. While their promotional material advertised an outlet in Phuket, Thailand, police found no trace of any establishment or business facility there, suggesting the claim existed only on paper.
Goa Nightclub Fire
The deadly fire, which erupted on Saturday night, claimed 25 lives and injured six others. Around 100 people were inside the club when the blaze broke out. Early investigations suggest that the widespread use of highly flammable décor materials and serious lapses in fire safety measures led to the tragedy.
So far, six people have been arrested, and three officials have been suspended in connection with the tragic fire.
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