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- Newsroom ReviewedSaurabh and Gaurav Luthra — the brothers who owned the Goa nightclub 'Romeo By Birch Lane' where 25 people died in the December 6 fire — appeared to have slipped away after the tragedy.
- But a combination of India’s passport laws and an Interpol Blue Corner Notice enabled authorities to track them down in Thailand, where they were detained pending deportation and returned to Goa to face trial. As public outrage grew over their attempt to flee, the government invoked Section 10A of the Passports Act, 1967, and issued an Interpol alert, effectively blocking their escape and ensuring they remained within reach of Indian investigators. ALSO READGoa Nightclub Fire: Owners Saurabh, Gaurav Luthra Fled To Phuket After Tragedy, Say PoliceOpinionGoa Nightclub Fire: Owners Saurabh, Gaurav Luthra Fled To Phuket After Tragedy, Say PoliceRead MoreWhat does Section 10A Of the Passports Act, 1967 entail?The Ministry of External Affairs states that the Central Government, or an authorized officer, can suspend a passport under Section 10A of the Passports Act, 1967.
- Once a suspension order comes into force, the passport becomes unusable for travel.
- Importantly, this action can be taken even if there is no chargesheet or arrest warrant against the passport holder. In the case of the Luthra brothers, they had already left India when the suspension was issued, but their passports were now legally invalid, blocking them from travelling any further.
