New Delhi, 16 December (H.S.): Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, prime accused in the deadly fire at their Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa that claimed 25 lives, have been deported from Thailand and are en route to Delhi aboard IndiGo flight 6E1064, scheduled to land Tuesday afternoon.

Swift Escape Unravels After Phuket Detention

The Delhi-based brothers fled India mere hours after the December 6 blaze erupted around 11:45 PM at the Arpora venue, booking Phuket tickets at 1:17 AM and departing at 5:30 AM amid ongoing rescue efforts.

Detained December 9 near their Hotel Indigo in Patong during a meal outing—prompted by Indian lookout notices and passport suspension under the Passport Act—the duo received emergency travel certificates under the 2015 India-Thailand extradition treaty.

Safety Lapses Fueled Inferno Amid Regulatory Blind Spots

Preliminary probes reveal the club lacked emergency exits, functional extinguishers, alarms, and fire NOC, with its backwater location and narrow access road delaying firefighting by over two hours; most victims suffocated in the basement.

Operating illegally on disputed land with combustible bamboo-palm decor, the venue ignored prior warnings, prompting a magisterial inquiry, staff arrests including manager Rajiv Modak, and co-owner Ajay Gupta's detention after a hospital evasion bid. Goa's Romeo Lane chain now faces statewide safety crackdowns.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar