Goa – The devastating Goa nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives has taken a dramatic turn as police revealed that the owners of the establishment fled to Thailand just hours after the tragedy. Saurabh Luthra and his brother Gaurav, Delhi-based businessmen who own Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, boarded a flight to Phuket on Sunday morning, mere hours after the blaze that killed mostly staff members and a family from Delhi.
Owners Fled Hours After Goa Nightclub Fire
According to Goa Police‘s official statement on Monday, the Luthra brothers took IndiGo flight 6E 1073 from Delhi to Phuket at 5:30 am on December 7. The Goa nightclub fire broke out late Saturday night, with police receiving the emergency call at 12:04 am on Sunday. This timing indicates that the owners fled the country within hours of the tragic incident that devastated their establishment.
Police officers visited the Luthra brothers’ residence in Delhi on Monday, only to discover they were not present. Later that day, authorities confirmed through investigation that both owners had already left the country, raising serious questions about their intent and potential culpability in the Goa nightclub fire.
Look-Out Notice Issued After Tragedy
A look-out notice was issued against the Luthra brothers through the Bureau of Immigration on Sunday evening, though by then they had already departed Indian territory. Deputy superintendent of police Nilesh Rane, serving as public relations officer for the Goa Police, provided details about the investigation’s progress.
“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 i.e. immediately after the incident which had taken place around midnight. It shows their intent to avoid police investigation,” Rane stated.
The Goa nightclub fire investigation has now taken on an international dimension, with authorities coordinating with Interpol to apprehend the fugitive owners.
Interpol Coordination for Apprehension
Goa Police have escalated their efforts by engaging with the Interpol Division of the Central Bureau of Investigation to track down and apprehend both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra at the earliest opportunity. The international manhunt underscores the seriousness of the Goa nightclub fire case and the determination of authorities to bring those responsible to justice.
The coordinated effort between local police, immigration authorities, and international law enforcement agencies demonstrates the complexity of pursuing suspects who have fled across international borders following such a catastrophic incident.
Social Media Statement From Owner
Despite fleeing to Thailand, Saurabh Luthra posted a statement on Instagram on Monday addressing the Goa nightclub fire. “The management expresses profound grief and is deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives resulting from the unfortunate incident at Birch,” he wrote, offering assistance and support to victims’ families in “every possible form.”
Critics have questioned the sincerity of this statement given that it was posted from outside the country while the owner was evading investigation into the Goa nightclub fire that devastated multiple families.
Victims Include Three Sisters and Family
The Goa nightclub fire claimed 25 lives, with victims primarily being staff members of the establishment. Among the deceased were three sisters—Anita, Kamla, and Saroj Joshi—along with Vinod Kumar, the husband of another sister. Their cremations were conducted in Delhi on Monday, bringing profound grief to their families.
The victims’ profiles highlight the human cost of the Goa nightclub fire, affecting not just employees working at the venue but also patrons who were present during the tragic incident.
Massive Fire at Arpora Nightclub
The Goa nightclub fire broke out at the establishment located in Arpora, a coastal village in north Goa. Initial investigations suggest the blaze possibly started after a cooking-gas cylinder explosion, though authorities are conducting a comprehensive probe to determine the exact cause and fix responsibility.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has constituted a four-member magisterial inquiry committee to investigate all aspects of the Goa nightclub fire, including potential safety violations and negligence that may have contributed to the tragedy.
Employee Detained for Questioning
Police detained Bharat Kohli, an employee of the nightclub, in Delhi on Monday. He was subsequently transported to Goa for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation into the Goa nightclub fire. Authorities are interviewing multiple individuals associated with the establishment to piece together the events leading to the tragedy.
Government Crackdown on Romeo Lane Properties
The state’s BJP government initiated a crackdown on Romeo Lane, the chain of upscale restaurants and bars operating in multiple cities across India. Two properties belonging to the chain were reportedly sealed in Vagator and Assagao in Goa, along with a beach shack and another club.
This swift action following the Goa nightclub fire demonstrates authorities’ determination to enforce safety regulations and hold establishments accountable for compliance failures. The sealing of multiple properties suggests potential systemic issues within the Romeo Lane chain’s Goa operations.
Ongoing Investigation and Accountability
As the investigation into the Goa nightclub fire continues, authorities are working on multiple fronts—from tracking down the fugitive owners internationally to examining safety protocols and potential violations at the establishment. The tragedy has raised serious questions about nightclub safety regulations, enforcement mechanisms, and the responsibility of establishment owners to ensure patron and employee safety.
The international escape of the owners has added urgency to calls for stricter monitoring of establishment owners facing serious allegations, particularly in cases involving loss of life.
