GOA, INDIA – A catastrophic fire tore through “Birch by Romeo Lane,” a prominent nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, late Saturday night, December 6, 2025, claiming the lives of 25 individuals and injuring six others. The tragedy has ignited a furious investigation that now spans international borders, as the club’s co-owners, Delhi-based entrepreneurs Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, are believed to have fled to Thailand just hours after the incident. Police have initiated an international manhunt, securing an Interpol Blue Corner Notice against the brothers for alleged culpable homicide.
The devastating blaze, which erupted around midnight at the popular nightlife venue, trapped dozens inside. Of the 25 fatalities, a harrowing 20 were staff members, predominantly from the kitchen area, while five were tourists, including four members of a single family from Delhi who were on holiday. Initial reports suggesting a gas cylinder blast as the cause have been superseded by preliminary investigations pointing towards the use of indoor pyrotechnics, specifically cold pyro guns, during a dance performance. Sparks from these devices are believed to have ignited the club’s highly combustible ceiling, constructed from bamboo, fibre sheets, and palm leaves, leading to a rapid inferno. Most victims tragically succumbed to suffocation rather than burns, highlighting severe safety deficiencies.
In a dramatic turn of events, it emerged that Saurabh Luthra, 40, and Gaurav Luthra, 44, co-founders of a rapidly expanding hospitality empire, boarded an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Phuket, Thailand, at 5:30 AM on December 7, less than six hours after the fire began. This swift departure, prior to any official First Information Report (FIR) being filed, has been interpreted by authorities as a clear attempt to evade arrest and investigation. Goa Police swiftly issued a Look-Out Circular (LOC) against the duo and have since requested assistance from Interpol through the CBI, resulting in the issuance of a Blue Corner Notice to trace their movements and secure their detention. Raids conducted at their Delhi residences found the premises locked and the brothers absconding.
The ongoing investigation has unearthed a litany of egregious safety and regulatory violations at “Birch by Romeo Lane.” Authorities report that the nightclub operated with only one functional exit, lacked sufficient ventilation, and had no designated fire safety exit in its basement, where a majority of the staff were tragically trapped. Furthermore, the venue was allegedly built without proper construction permits, situated on an eco-sensitive saltpan and Coastal Regulation Zone area, and continued operations despite an active demolition notice that was under appeal. Crucially, the club also reportedly lacked a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department, indicating a systemic failure in regulatory oversight.
Beyond the Luthra brothers, police are also actively searching for a third alleged owner, Ajay Gupta, against whom a Look-Out Circular has also been issued. Five managers of the nightclub—Rajiv Modak (General Manager), Priyanshu Thakur (Gate Manager), Rajveer Singhania (Bar Manager), Vivek Singh (General Manager), and Bharat Kohli (Operations Manager)—have been arrested in connection with the tragedy. Three government officials have also been suspended and are under investigation for their potential role in allowing the club to operate despite documented violations.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has condemned the incident, ordering a magisterial inquiry and the immediate demolition of another Luthra-owned establishment, the “Romeo Lane” beach shack in Vagator, citing illegal construction. The fire-ravaged “Birch by Romeo Lane” itself is also slated for demolition. The incident has sent shockwaves through India’s booming nightlife sector, raising urgent questions about accountability, enforcement of safety standards, and potential collusion between club operators and regulatory bodies. The state government has pledged stringent action against all individuals and officials found responsible, vowing to prevent such a tragedy from recurring. Two other properties belonging to the Luthra brothers have been sealed by the Goa Police as part of the ongoing probe.
The Luthra brothers, once celebrated as trailblazers in the hospitality industry, building an empire that included popular venues like Romeo Lane and Mama’s Buoi, now find their reputation in tatters and their future as international fugitives. Their flight underscores the gravity of the charges, which include culpable homicide not amounting to murder, endangering lives, and negligent handling of combustible materials under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. As Interpol joins the pursuit, the focus remains on bringing all those responsible for the devastating loss of life to justice and ensuring robust safety protocols for public venues across the nation.
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