Ambition to ashes as Luthra brothers face justice
Days after a devastating fire ripped through an upscale nightclub in Goa, killing 25 people, attention remains firmly fixed on the two brothers who co-owned the venue and whose dramatic exit from India deepened public anger and grief.
On Tuesday, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra were deported to India from Thailand, where they had fled just hours after the blaze on December 7. Their return marks a critical moment in the investigation into one of Goa’s deadliest nightlife tragedies. A third partner in the nightclub, Ajay Gupta, was detained in Delhi last week, as authorities widened their probe into those responsible for the venue’s operations and safety standards.
Until recently, the Luthra brothers were largely unknown outside India’s hospitality and nightlife circles. Raised in Delhi, they were seen as part of a new generation of restaurateurs who combined ambition with a sharp understanding of branding and social media. Friends and acquaintances describe modest beginnings: a paralysed father who once ran a successful business, a deeply religious mother respected in her community, and two sons determined to build something of their own.
“They were Delhi boys in the broadest sense,” said a city-based musician who knows the brothers, speaking on condition of anonymity. He described them as confident, well-networked and willing to take risks — traits often associated with the capital’s entrepreneurial culture. “They knew how to use connections and visibility to get ahead,” he added.
Their rise in the nightlife business was steady rather than sudden. Like many young entrepreneurs, the brothers experimented with smaller ventures before finding success. The real breakthrough came with Romeo Lane, an upscale nightclub that blended indulgence with spectacle. Its formula was familiar but effective: stylish interiors, handcrafted cocktails, loud Bollywood music and themed nights that drew crowds eager for curated experiences. The brand began to gain recognition, and expansion plans followed.
That carefully built image collapsed overnight after the Goa fire. As news of the deaths spread, reports emerged that the brothers had boarded a flight to Phuket, triggering outrage on social media and accusations that they were trying to evade accountability. Police launched a formal investigation, and Interpol notices were issued, transforming the once-aspiring entrepreneurs into international fugitives in the public eye.
The brothers maintain they did not intend to flee justice. Through their lawyers, they have denied wrongdoing and said they were being “erroneously portrayed” as villains in a tragedy they claim was not of their making. They argue they are willing to cooperate fully with investigators now that they are back in India.
Authorities, however, say serious questions must be answered. The brothers are expected to be questioned on charges including culpable homicide, along with alleged lapses in safety compliance and management. For the families of the 25 victims, the legal process cannot move fast enough.
As the investigation unfolds, the case has become a stark reminder of how ambition, unchecked risk and alleged negligence can have devastating consequences. For the Luthra brothers, a story once defined by growth and aspiration now stands overshadowed by loss, accountability and a long legal road ahead.