Luthra Brothers Linked to Nightclub Fire to Be Brought Back, Goa Police to Take Custody at Delhi Airport

The Luthra brothers are expected to arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Tuesday morning, where they will be taken into custody by the Goa Police.

The Goa Police will formally assume custody of the brothers at the airport and produce them before a Delhi court later in the day to seek transit remand. Once the remand is granted, the accused will be taken to Goa for further investigation in connection with the case.

Police officials have clarified that no team from the Goa Police has travelled to Thailand, dismissing speculation that officers were pursuing the case overseas.

The brothers were detained by Thai authorities in Phuket following intervention by the Indian embassy. They are co-owners of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in North Goa and had travelled to Thailand shortly after a fire broke out at the venue earlier this month. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued to trace their location.

Last week, a Delhi court refused to grant the brothers interim protection from arrest. During the hearing, their counsel denied allegations that the brothers had fled the country, stating that the trip to Thailand was for a business meeting. The defence also argued that the brothers were licensees and not the actual owners of the nightclub.

The fire broke out at the nightclub in Arpora, around 25 kilometres from Panaji, close to midnight on December 6. Five managers and staff members have already been arrested by the Goa Police in connection with the incident. Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.