Who Are the Luthra Brothers? Goa Nightclub Owners Deported From Thailand After Deadly Fire
The tragic fire at a luxury nightclub in Goa that killed 25 people has put intense focus on its owners, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, once celebrated figures in India’s nightlife and hospitality industry.
Days after the incident, the brothers have now returned to India from Thailand, where they had fled hours after the fire broke out on December 7.
The brothers, co-owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, were deported to India on Tuesday and are expected to face questioning by Indian authorities.
A third partner in the venture, Ajay Gupta, was earlier detained in Delhi. Police are investigating the case under serious charges, including culpable homicide, though the brothers have denied wrongdoing, stating they never intended to escape the law.
Until recently, the Luthra brothers were largely unknown outside business and nightlife circles. Raised in a middle-class family in North Delhi, they grew up in modest surroundings.
Neighbours describe them as polite and well-mannered, raised by deeply religious parents. Their father, who suffered a paralytic attack, played a key role in shaping their early life, with the family running a small boutique to sustain themselves.
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Both brothers reportedly studied engineering, with Saurabh later rebranding himself as a “gold medalist engineer turned restaurateur.”
Their entrepreneurial journey began in 2016 with a café in Hudson Lane, a popular student hub in Delhi. Its success encouraged them to expand, leading to the creation of the now-famous Romeo Lane nightclub brand.
Romeo Lane became known for its vibrant ambience, Bollywood music, themed nights, and relatively affordable pricing, making nightlife accessible to younger crowds.
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Over time, the brand expanded rapidly across India, reaching cities like Noida, Lucknow, Meerut, Dehradun, and even Dubai.
In 2024, the brothers opened Birch by Romeo Lane in Goa, envisioned as a grand, open-air luxury destination. The devastating fire at this venue shocked many, especially given its spacious design.
Saurabh emerged as the public face of the business, frequently featured on social media, business lists like ‘Economic Times’ 40 Under 40, and even Forbes India. Gaurav, meanwhile, handled operations behind the scenes.
(With inputs from BBC)
