Goa – The devastating Goa nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives has taken a controversial turn as investigators revealed that the club owners planned their escape to Thailand while firefighting operations were still underway. The tragedy at Birch by Romeo Lane in North Goa has raised serious questions about the response and accountability of those responsible for the deadly blaze.
Timeline of the Tragic Night
The Goa nightclub fire began on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday when approximately 100 visitors had gathered at the popular establishment. The first distress call was made at 11:45 pm, alerting emergency services to the massive blaze that would soon turn deadly. By 12:04 am on Sunday, the fire had fully erupted, trapping dozens of revellers inside the packed venue.
While fire and emergency services battled the flames throughout the night until 6 am, conducting rescue operations and recovering victims, the club’s owners were allegedly making arrangements to flee the country. This timing has become a critical aspect of the investigation into the Goa nightclub fire.
Flight Booking During Crisis
According to the Goa Police investigation, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the Delhi-based businessmen who owned Birch by Romeo Lane, booked their tickets to Phuket, Thailand, at 1:17 am on Sunday. This was merely one and a half hours after the fire broke out at their nightclub in North Goa.
The tickets were purchased online through the MakeMyTrip platform while rescue operations were actively underway. Goa Police public relations officer Nilesh Rane confirmed that while emergency personnel were battling the blaze and rescuing those trapped, the accused were preparing to flee the country.
The Luthra brothers departed on IndiGo flight 6E 1073 from New Delhi to Phuket at 5:30 am on Sunday morning, hours before the full extent of the tragedy became apparent. The Goa nightclub fire continued to burn as they made their escape.
Police Response to Escape Allegations
The Goa Police have firmly denied allegations of an “assisted escape” in connection with the Goa nightclub fire investigation. In an official statement, authorities emphasized that the accused fled before the scale of the tragedy was fully known.
“The allegation of an ‘assisted escape’ is completely false. Goa Police and all assisting agencies were at the site throughout the night until 6:00 am carrying out rescue operations, dousing the fire, and recovering the victims,” the police stated.
Authorities explained that the accused left on a 5:30 am flight, meaning they fled immediately after learning of the incident. Police and emergency services remained focused on rescue and recovery operations during those critical hours following the Goa nightclub fire.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
While the Luthra brothers remain absconding, the Goa Police have made significant progress in the investigation. Five staff members of the nightclub have been arrested in connection with the Goa nightclub fire. Additionally, Ajay Gupta, identified as a business partner of the Luthras, has also been taken into custody.
The police have initiated international coordination through INTERPOL to trace and arrest the main accused as per legal procedure. The investigation continues to examine all aspects of the Goa nightclub fire, including safety violations and potential negligence.
Legal Proceedings and Defence
The Luthra brothers approached a Delhi court seeking transit anticipatory bail following the Goa nightclub fire tragedy. However, the court declined to grant interim relief on Wednesday and scheduled their anticipatory bail pleas for hearing the following day.
In their defence before the court, the brothers have claimed that they do not own the club in question. They have stated that they acted solely as licensees rather than owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, where the fatal Goa nightclub fire occurred.
The Devastating Impact
The Goa nightclub fire resulted in the deaths of 25 people who had gathered at the popular North Goa venue. The massive blaze trapped visitors inside, leading to one of the deadliest nightclub tragedies in recent Indian history.
Emergency services worked tirelessly through the night, conducting rescue operations and battling the intense flames. The fire broke out when the nightclub was at peak capacity with around 100 visitors present.
Moving Forward
As the investigation into the Goa nightclub fire continues, authorities are working to bring all responsible parties to justice. The case has highlighted concerns about nightclub safety regulations and emergency preparedness in tourist destinations. The swift escape of the main accused has added another layer of complexity to this devastating tragedy that claimed 25 innocent lives.
