Luthra Brothers Under Fire As Goa Nightclub Owners' Passports Get Suspended
Authorities found that the Luthras booked their Thailand tickets even as emergency responders battled the fire and attempted to pull out those trapped inside the club.
- Goa Police suspended passports of nightclub promoters Saurabh, Gaurav Luthra.
- Promoters booked Thailand tickets during ongoing rescue operations, investigators say.
- Nightclub hosted hazardous performance without required fire safety measures.
The Goa Police have suspended the passports of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the key promoters of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub where a catastrophic fire on December 6 claimed 25 lives. According to investigators, the brothers left for Thailand shortly after the blaze erupted.
Authorities found that the Luthras booked their Thailand tickets even as emergency responders battled the fire and attempted to pull out those trapped inside the club. Officials said the brothers accessed the MakeMyTrip (MMT) platform at 1:17 AM on December 7, during ongoing rescue efforts by the Goa Police and the Fire Services. Immigration documents further confirmed that they boarded IndiGo flight 6E 1073 from Delhi to Phuket, which took off at 5:30 AM.
Investigation Intensifies Into Birch By Romeo Lane
The probe into the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub disaster has intensified, following an India Today report revealing that a hazardous performance was conducted at the venue without any fire-safety equipment or the mandatory fire audit. Investigators have noted serious compliance failures, with key accused Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra allegedly running the Arpora nightclub despite these violations.
Hours after the blaze, which claimed 25 lives, the brothers fled to Thailand. According to the Goa DGP, a Blue Corner Notice was issued against them within two days of the incident.
Separately, a Look Out Circular has been issued for the nightclub’s other owners, Ajay Kumar Gupta and Surinder Kumar Khosla.
Meanwhile, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered action against illegal constructions on salt pan land. As part of the crackdown, the Goa Tourism Department has demolished Romeo Lane, which was identified as an illegally built beach shack.
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