A deeper probe into the catastrophic blaze at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub has uncovered shocking negligence, with an FIR obtained by India Today revealing that the venue hosted a dangerous fire performance despite having zero fire-safety systems in place. The report directly names Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra as the primary accused, alleging that the brothers were operating the Arpora club in blatant violation of safety norms. Both fled to Thailand within hours of the incident, which left 25 people dead.

In response to the tragedy, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered strict action against all illegal structures in coastal areas. Acting swiftly, the state tourism department razed Romeo Lane — an unauthorised beach shack in Vagator linked to the Luthra brothers.

Key developments so far

Fire Stunts Conducted With Zero Safety Gear

According to the FIR, the nightclub organised a high-risk fire act without basic firefighting tools. No extinguishers, sprinklers, fire alarms or smoke-extraction arrangements were found. Investigators also confirmed that no mandatory fire audit was carried out before the club opened its doors, turning the space into a lethal trap.

Police Seek Cancellation of Luthra Brothers’ Passports

The main accused — 44-year-old Gaurav Luthra and 40-year-old Saurabh Luthra — boarded a flight to Thailand shortly after the blaze. Goa Police have asked the Regional Passport Office to immediately revoke their passports, hoping to block further travel and speed up their return.

Interpol Issues Blue Corner Notice

The Goa DGP confirmed that Interpol circulated a Blue Corner Notice for both brothers just two days after the fire — an unusually quick approval that underscores strong coordination between state and central agencies.

Illegal Vagator Shack Demolished; Wider Crackdown Begins

The Romeo Lane shack in Vagator, identified as an illegal construction on government salt-pan land, was demolished. CM Sawant has instructed officials to clear all unlawful establishments on such land, not just properties connected to Birch by Romeo Lane.

Look Out Circulars Against Co-Owners

Authorities have also issued Look Out Circulars for two additional co-owners — Ajay Gupta from Gurugram and British national Surinder Kumar Khosla — barring them from leaving the country. The action followed the Luthra brothers’ escape.

Five Staff Members Arrested; One More Detained

The police have taken five key members of the nightclub’s management into custody:

• Rajiv Modak, Corporate General Manager

• Vivek Singh, General Manager

• Rajveer (Rajiv) Singhania, Bar Manager

• Riyanshu (Priyanshu) Thakur, Gate Manager

• Bharat Kohli, detained in Delhi and brought to Goa

All five have been placed under six days of police remand as the investigation zeroes in on operational negligence.

Forensic Findings: Toxic Smoke Was the Main Killer

Forensic experts revealed that 19 of the 25 victims died after inhaling poisonous fumes. Two others suffered fatal burns combined with gas inhalation, while the post-mortem process for four Nepali nationals is still under way. Among the dead were 20 employees of the club, four visitors from Delhi, and one from Karnataka.

Probe Expands to Government Officials

Investigators are now questioning former government functionaries, including ex-Panchayats Director Siddhi Halarnkar and former Goa Pollution Control Board official Shamila Monteiro. Police have also examined Arpora-Nagao Sarpanch Roshan Redkar and seized all records related to Survey No. 150/0 from the Panchayat.

Goa Forms Joint Enforcement & Monitoring Task Force

The state has set up a multi-department committee to conduct surprise inspections at nightlife hubs — restaurants, bars, shacks, party venues, hotels, and temporary structures. The panel will verify fire NOCs, electrical safety, structural compliance, occupancy limits, and emergency-exit readiness. Monthly reports will be submitted to district authorities.

High-Level Committee to Draft New Safety Norms

A second panel, headed by IAS officer Sandip Jacques, has been tasked with rewriting Goa’s licensing framework for tourism and nightlife establishments. The committee will outline essential fire-safety requirements, mandatory approvals, evacuation protocols, violation categories, and corrective measures. A detailed set of new rules is expected within one month.