The deportation of Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra from Thailand to India, where they are to face charges related to the deadly fire at their Goa nightclub, is likely to be delayed by two to three days, official sources said on Friday. The delay stems from the Indian government’s decision to suspend the brothers’ passports — a move intended to prevent them from fleeing Thailand to another country. However, the suspension has also left them without valid travel documents, effectively blocking their legal exit from Thailand. Sources said Thai authorities are particularly strict about foreigners travelling without passports or overstaying visas, though the circumstances in this case are exceptional. Without valid passports, the brothers must now be issued emergency travel documents — commonly referred to as an “outpass” or Emergency Travel Certificate — by the Indian embassy in Bangkok. The process could take up to 36 hours.
Issuing these temporary documents requires close coordination between India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Thai authorities. Legal procedures include verification of identity and confirmation of the brothers’ status as wanted individuals. Until Thai authorities complete their paperwork, the Indian side cannot issue the emergency travel certificates.
Even after the documents are issued, Thai immigration officials must undertake another round of formalities to formally hand over custody of the brothers to a Goa Police team expected to travel to Bangkok. As a result, officials indicated it is unlikely the two will reach India before Monday. Investigators have established that the Luthra brothers fled to Phuket in southern Thailand in the early hours of December 6, booking flight tickets at 1.17 am — while the fire at their nightclub was still raging. Police told a Delhi court that the brothers were identified upon arrival, and images of one of them clearing Thai immigration soon circulated widely online. Following this, Indian authorities contacted their Thai counterparts, supported by a Blue Corner notice issued through Interpol, to initiate the process of bringing the brothers back to face trial.
India and Thailand are bound by an extradition treaty signed in 2013, which obligates Thailand to extradite individuals facing at least one year of imprisonment. Under Indian law, the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder carries a minimum sentence of five years. However, extradition typically involves lengthy legal proceedings, including proving “double criminality” — that the alleged offence is punishable under the laws of both countries. To avoid delays associated with extradition, India chose the deportation route, which could have enabled the brothers’ return within 24 hours. The suspension of their passports, while necessary to prevent escape, has instead created a temporary procedural hurdle.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the Goa nightclub fire has revealed serious safety violations. Authorities have found extensive use of flammable materials, a lack of designated fire exits, and the absence of fire extinguishers inside the premises. Firefighters also reported that the club’s entrance was too narrow for emergency vehicles, forcing them to park nearly 400 metres away. This significantly hampered rescue operations and may have contributed to the death toll. Investigators further confirmed that the nightclub did not possess a valid fire safety clearance.