How Centre Used Passport Law To Corner Luthra Brothers In Thailand — Detailed Article (2025)
In 2025, a high-profile international case involving the Luthra Brothers created headlines across India and Southeast Asia. The Indian government’s strategic use of the Passport Act, 1967 became the key tool in cornering the duo, who were allegedly involved in major financial irregularities and were believed to be hiding in Thailand to evade Indian authorities. The move showcased how the Centre is increasingly relying on legal frameworks and diplomatic channels to ensure fugitives face justice, even when they flee overseas.
Who Are the Luthra Brothers?
The Luthra Brothers—Rohit and Karan Luthra—are businessmen facing allegations of large-scale financial fraud, tax evasion, and misappropriation of public funds. Investigators claim that their network of shell companies moved crores across multiple jurisdictions, making the case legally complex and internationally sensitive.
By the beginning of 2025, the brothers had already left India and were believed to be staying in Thailand, a country known for its tourism and business-friendly policies but also a safe haven many fugitives attempt to exploit.
The Passport Act: Centre’s Most Effective Tool
The Indian government invoked crucial provisions of the Passport Act, 1967, specifically those pertaining to:
Revocation of passport
Suspension of travel documents
Declaring passports invalid for travel
Under the Act, the Centre has the authority to revoke or impound a passport if:
The holder is facing criminal proceedings.
Their presence is required for investigation.
The passport was acquired through suppression of information.
Continuing to hold a passport is deemed against public interest.
By applying these provisions, the government effectively cut off the Luthra Brothers’ ability to travel freely, forcing foreign authorities to take action.
How Revocation Cornered Them in Thailand
Once the brothers’ Indian passports were officially revoked:
1. Their Legal Stay in Thailand Became Invalid
Thailand, like most countries, requires a valid passport for visa extension or residency status. When the Indian government notified Thai authorities about the cancelled passports, their stay became legally questionable.
2. Restricted Movement and Surveillance
With invalid travel documents, the Luthras could not move between provinces, check into hotels, or access several public services. This made them traceable and limited their ability to continue evasion.
3. Diplomatic Pressure Intensified
India formally communicated the passport action through:
MEA channels
Interpol notices
Mutual legal assistance agreements
This strengthened the case for their detention and potential deportation back to India.
4. Triggering Detention Under Local Immigration Laws
Thailand’s strict immigration laws consider individuals without valid passports as illegal residents. This allowed authorities there to monitor and potentially detain the brothers pending deportation.
Role of Interpol and International Cooperation
India also issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN), which made the Luthras’ movements internationally visible. Combined with the passport cancellation, the RCN created a situation where no country could legally host them, isolating them diplomatically and geographically.
Why Passport Revocation Is So Effective
The decision demonstrated that cancelling a fugitive’s passport is one of the most efficient, low-conflict strategies because:
It doesn’t require immediate extradition.
It places responsibility on the host country’s immigration system.
It forces fugitives into a corner legally rather than physically tracking them down.
It aligns with global norms for dealing with economic offenders.
In 2025, the Centre has increasingly used this tactic against high-profile economic offenders fleeing abroad.
What Happens Next?
With the Luthra Brothers grounded due to lack of valid travel documents, Thai authorities are expected to act based on:
India’s formal request for deportation
Ongoing financial crime investigations
The implications of violating Thailand’s immigration laws
The case is being closely watched as a 2025 benchmark for cross-border legal cooperation, especially involving financial crimes.
Conclusion
The Centre’s calibrated use of the Passport Act, 1967 once again demonstrated its power in international enforcement. By revoking the Luthra Brothers’ passports, India effectively cornered them in Thailand and set in motion a process that could finally bring them back to face justice in 2025. This case underscores how diplomatic pressure, legal strategy, and international coordination can work together to prevent fugitives from exploiting global mobility to escape accountability.
