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Owners deported after fleeing deadly Goa nightclub blaze
Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of the Goa nightclub where a fire killed 25 people on 7 December, were deported from Thailand to India on Tuesday. The brothers had fled to Phuket hours after the incident, triggering an international manhunt.
From Delhi entrepreneurs to fugitives
Until recently, the Luthra brothers were known only within India's hospitality sector. Raised in a middle-class Delhi family, they built a nightlife empire starting with a café in 2016. Their flagship brand, Romeo Lane, expanded rapidly across India and into Dubai, catering to urban youth with affordable, high-energy venues.
However, their reputation collapsed overnight when they left India following the fire at their Goa nightclub, Birch by Romeo Lane. Interpol issued notices for their arrest, and public outrage grew over their abrupt departure.
"They were Delhi boys-ambitious, well-connected, and eager to scale," said a city-based musician who knew the brothers. "Their flight turned them from rising entrepreneurs into international fugitives."
Family background and business rise
The brothers grew up in northern Delhi, the sons of a paralysed father who once ran a successful business. After his illness, the family opened a boutique clothing store to supplement income. Saurabh, an engineering graduate, later described himself as a "gold medalist turned restaurateur," while Gaurav managed finances and operations.
Their first venture, a café near Delhi University, became a hit with students. They soon launched Dramebaaz, a casual diner, before opening Romeo Lane in 2019-a nightclub blending Bollywood music, themed events, and affordable luxury. By 2024, they had expanded to smaller cities and Dubai.
Goa controversies and legal troubles
The brothers' Goa ventures faced repeated scrutiny. In 2023, a resident accused their venue of discharging untreated sewage into the Baga River, though authorities later ruled the structures legal. In May 2025, the Tourism Department ordered partial demolition of their Vagator property for encroaching on public beach land-a process completed this month after the fire.
Local architect Tahir Noronha, who protested against their venues, said the brothers avoided public appearances in Goa. "They were like ghosts," he told reporters. "Even in court, they sent managers, never showing up themselves."
Denials and next steps
The Luthras deny wrongdoing, claiming they "never intended to evade" the law and were unfairly vilified. They argue they were only licensees of the Goa nightclub, not operators responsible for safety. Investigators are now examining the fire's causes, while the brothers face charges including culpable homicide.
Their social media profiles paint a stark contrast: Saurabh's Instagram, still public, showcases ribbon-cutting ceremonies and celebrity photos, while Gaurav's sparse account focuses on venues. Both were once celebrated in business circles-Saurabh made Economic Times' "40 under 40" list in 2023-but are now household names for tragic reasons.
