Owners fled country hours after fire at Goa club that killed 25

After a fire at a Goa nightclub claimed 25 lives on Saturday night, police revealed today that its two owners left India for Thailand within hours of the disaster. Investigators had been trying to trace them ever since.

Soon after an FIR was registered, police reached the Delhi home of nightclub owners Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra. But with the two not found there, officers left a notice at the residence.

A lookout circular was issued by Sunday evening at the request of police, the Bureau of Immigration confirmed. The alert signals authorities at all entry and exit points — from airports to ports — to intercept those named.

By early Sunday morning, the Bureau of Immigration confirmed the two accused had flown to Phuket, Thailand, at 5:30 am — only hours after the fire that killed 25 at their Goa nightclub. Police said the brothers were in Delhi when the blaze broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane.
The brothers boarded IndiGo flight 6E-1073 to Thailand. While domestic services faced major disruption due to pilot rostering issues, international flights like theirs ran smoothly. Police said their swift departure was a clear attempt to evade investigation.

According to sources, Goa Police have approached the CBI’s Interpol division to plan an operation aimed at swiftly arresting the two accused. A third man, Bharat Kohli, was detained in Delhi and has now been taken to Goa for interrogation.

Investigators have summoned officials from various government departments linked to the club’s permits and licences, probing possible compliance gaps and violations. Police said the inquiry is being fast-tracked, with more action expected after results emerge. Earlier, Goa authorities suspended Shamila Monteiro, Director of Fisheries and former Member Secretary of the State Pollution Control Board, over regulatory lapses.