The owners of the Goa nightclub where a massive fire killed 25 people have fled the country, police confirmed. Saurabh Luthra and his brother Gaurav, who own Birch by Romeo Lane, boarded a flight to Thailand just hours after the tragedy, which police say shows their intent to avoid investigation.
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Club Owners Flee to Thailand Hours After Goa Blaze
The devastating fire at the Arpora nightclub, which occurred around midnight on Saturday, claimed 25 lives, including mostly staff and a family of four from Delhi.
The Delhi-based owners, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, took IndiGo flight 6E 1073 from Delhi to Phuket at 5:30 am on Sunday, December 7. The police noted their rapid departure—only a few hours after the tragedy—as proof of their intent to evade the investigation.
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The Police Action: After registering an FIR, the Goa Police immediately issued a Look-Out Notice (LOC) against the Luthra brothers via the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) on Sunday evening. The police team sent to Delhi found their residence locked.
The International Hunt: The Goa Police have now escalated the case. They are coordinating with the Interpol Division of the CBI to apprehend the brothers “at the earliest.”
The Detained Employee: Police did detain an employee, Bharat Kohli, in Delhi on Monday. He has been taken to Goa for further questioning as he reportedly managed the club’s daily operations.
Social Media Post vs. Reality
Even as the police were confirming their escape, owner Saurabh Luthra posted a statement on Instagram on Monday. He expressed “profound grief” over the incident. He also offered assistance to the victims’ families, but the thing is, he did this while being abroad and actively evading the authorities.
Government Crackdown and Inquiry
The fire, possibly triggered by a cooking-gas cylinder blast or electric firecrackers, has prompted swift action from the Goa government.
Inquiry: Goa CM Pramod Sawant has constituted a four-member magisterial inquiry committee to probe the cause, verify all statutory licenses, determine procedural lapses, and fix accountability.
Sealing: The government has also cracked down on the Romeo Lane chain, sealing at least two of their other properties in Vagator and Assagao in Goa amid the investigation into the company’s compliance.
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