The Goa Police have suspended the passports of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, principal owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, where a massive fire on December 6 claimed 25 lives. Investigators revealed on Wednesday that the Luthra brothers fled to Thailand soon after the blaze broke out.
As per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Central Government or an authorised officer may suspend a passport under Section 10A of the Passports Act, 1967. Once suspended, the document becomes invalid for international travel.
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In this case, although the Luthra brothers have already left India, the suspension renders their passports temporarily unusable, preventing further overseas movement. Officials noted that passport suspension is a common step in criminal investigations, and reactivation is possible only after specific legal requirements are met. Sources added that the next expected action is the formal cancellation of their passports.
The duo, currently believed to be in Phuket, Thailand, are now the subject of an expanding criminal probe. Authorities have issued multiple look-out circulars along with an Interpol Blue Corner Notice as efforts to bring them back intensify.
