Goa – Goa authorities initiated bulldozer action on Tuesday to demolish Romeo Lane, the Vagator beach shack owned by Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, following the devastating Arpora club fire that claimed 25 lives over the weekend. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered the demolition as part of intensified action against the brothers who also operated Birch by Romeo Lane, the nightclub-cum-restaurant where the fatal blaze occurred. The demolition work commenced on Tuesday evening, with visuals circulating on social media confirming the action.
Deadly Arpora Club Fire Claims 25 Lives
The tragic Arpora club fire tore through the 300 square meter Birch by Romeo Lane property around 11:45 pm on Saturday, resulting in catastrophic loss of life. Of the 25 people killed in the inferno, 20 were staff members working at the establishment, while five were tourists. Among the tourists killed were four members of a Delhi family, making this tragedy particularly heartbreaking for multiple families.
The fire’s rapid spread through the premises and the high casualty count have raised serious questions about fire safety measures, emergency exits, and building compliance at the nightclub. Investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the Arpora club fire and identify all factors that contributed to the devastating outcome.
Swift Escape to Thailand
In a dramatic development following the Arpora club fire, the Luthra brothers fled to Thailand barely hours after the blaze. According to Goa Police, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra boarded an IndiGo flight from New Delhi to Phuket at 5:30 am on Sunday morning, just hours after the deadly fire engulfed their establishment late Saturday night.
Deputy Superintendent of Police and Public Relations Officer Nilesh Rane confirmed the escape route, stating, “The Bureau of Immigration at Mumbai was contacted and it was found that both the accused had taken 6E 1073 flight (New Delhi to Phuket) at 5:30 am on 7th December.” The timing of their departure, so soon after the Arpora club fire, has intensified scrutiny on their awareness of the incident and raised questions about their intentions.
Lookout Notice and International Coordination
Officers revealed that a lookout notice had already been issued with the Bureau of Immigration to prevent the brothers from leaving the country. However, this action came too late to stop their departure. Indian agencies are now coordinating with Thai authorities to geolocate the duo in Phuket and are seeking their deportation based on an arrest warrant.
Authorities are hoping to avoid a lengthier extradition route by securing the brothers’ deportation through direct cooperation with Thai law enforcement. Police teams visited the Luthras’ north Delhi residence on Monday but could not find them, confirming their flight from the country following the Arpora club fire.
Criminal Charges Filed
In an FIR registered at 9:30 am on Sunday, Goa Police booked the Luthra brothers and some unnamed persons for serious offenses related to the Arpora club fire. The charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 105, endangering lives and personal safety under section 125(a)(b), and negligent handling of fire or combustible material under section 287 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
These charges reflect the gravity of the allegations against the owners and underscore authorities’ determination to hold responsible parties accountable for the Arpora club fire tragedy. The legal framework allows for significant penalties if the accused are found guilty of these offenses.
Five Arrests Made in Investigation
Goa Police have made substantial progress in their investigation of the Arpora club fire, arresting five individuals connected to the nightclub’s operations. Four people were arrested on Sunday: chief general manager Rajiv Modak, gate manager Priyanshu Thakur, bar manager Rajveer Singhania, and general manager Vivek Singh. These arrests targeted key operational personnel responsible for day-to-day management of the establishment.
A fifth person, Bharat Singh Kohli, was arrested on Monday. Police described Kohli as someone who was “managing the daily operations of the establishment on behalf of the owners,” indicating his significant role in the nightclub’s functioning during the Arpora club fire.
Widening Action Against Luthra Properties
The demolition of Romeo Lane beach shack represents an expansion of action against the Luthra brothers’ business interests following the Arpora club fire. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s directive to demolish the Vagator beach shack owned by the brothers demonstrates the government’s commitment to taking swift action against properties linked to the accused.
The bulldozer action sends a strong message about accountability and consequences for business owners whose establishments may have violated safety regulations or operated without proper compliance. This action follows the wider pattern of authorities using demolition as a tool to enforce regulations and penalize alleged wrongdoing.
Investigation Continues
As the investigation into the Arpora club fire continues, authorities are examining multiple aspects including fire safety compliance, building permits, occupancy limits, emergency evacuation procedures, and the cause of the blaze. Forensic personnel have inspected the site to gather evidence that will help establish the sequence of events and identify any violations that contributed to the tragedy.
The coming days will be critical as investigators work to build a comprehensive case while seeking the return of the Luthra brothers from Thailand to face charges related to the Arpora club fire.
