Fugitive Luthra brothers held in Thailand after deadly Goa nightclub fire set for deportation: How is it different from extradition

The duo—Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra—had fled India within hours of the inferno, sparking outrage and raising questions about accountability.

Early this morning, officials confirmed that a Goa Police team is preparing to leave for Thailand within the next 24 to 36 hours.

Indian authorities expect the Thai government to deport the brothers soon, potentially bringing them back to face charges in India.

A midnight escape to Phuket

Investigations reveal the brothers boarded an IndiGo flight from India to Phuket early Saturday morning. 

Their tickets were reportedly purchased at 1:17 am, while firefighters were battling the massive blaze at their club.

Photographs of Gaurav Luthra at Phuket airport quickly surfaced, confirming their location and triggering an international manhunt.

Even after being located, the brothers approached a Delhi court seeking protection from arrest.

They argued they could not be held criminally liable because they were not present when the fire broke out.

They also sought four weeks of transit anticipatory bail, which the court denied.

In a significant move, the Indian government has suspended their passports, rendering them immobile in Thailand.

Without valid travel documents, they are now classified as “undocumented foreigners” under Thai law.

Deportation or extradition: What will bring them back to India?

India and Thailand signed an extradition treaty in 2013, making Bangkok legally bound to send back individuals facing serious charges in India—provided the offences carry a minimum sentence of one year.

The Luthra brothers currently face charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which has a minimum punishment of five years.

This technically meets the extradition threshold.

However, extradition is a lengthy, bureaucratic process. It requires a formal request, supporting evidence and, crucially, proof of “double criminality,” meaning the alleged crime must be punishable under both countries’ laws.

Past extradition attempts involving fugitives such as Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi have dragged on for years, demonstrating how slow and complex such cases can become.

Why deportation is the faster route

Deportation, in contrast, is far more straightforward. While both extradition and deportation involve removing a foreign national from a country, deportation is primarily an immigration measure.

A host country can deport individuals who violate its immigration laws without requiring lengthy court proceedings.

In this case, the suspension of the Luthras’ passports has left them stranded in Thailand without valid travel documents—a direct breach of Thai immigration laws.

This makes them eligible for deportation as “undocumented foreigners,” a process that is significantly faster and allows India to bring them back quickly for trial.

Sources indicate that deportation is the most likely path Thailand will take.

Disturbing findings from the Goa fire probe

As the legal process moves ahead abroad, the investigation into the Goa nightclub fire continues to reveal alarming lapses.

Officials have found widespread use of flammable décor materials, minimal fire safety mechanisms, and a complete lack of fire extinguishers.

The club also lacked a functional fire exit, dramatically hindering evacuation.

Firefighters reported that they had to park their vehicles nearly 400 metres from the building because the entrance was too narrow for fire tenders.

This delay may have cost several lives.

Authorities have further confirmed that the nightclub did not possess a valid fire safety clearance at the time of the incident, raising serious concerns about regulatory oversight.

What's next?

With the Luthra brothers now detained in Thailand and their passports suspended, Indian authorities are preparing for their imminent return.

Whether through deportation or a more prolonged extradition process, the brothers are likely to face trial for the catastrophic blaze that claimed 25 lives.

As the investigation unfolds, the tragedy continues to spotlight severe gaps in fire safety compliance and the urgent need for accountability.