Goa Nightclub Tragedy: Owners Move Court for Pre-Arrest Bail as Police Launch Global Hunt

Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the Goa nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane where a catastrophic fire claimed 25 lives, have approached Delhi's Rohini Sessions Court with an anticipatory bail application to avert imminent arrest. The petition, filed through their legal representatives, underscores the brothers' intent to cooperate with authorities while remaining abroad, with a hearing slated for Wednesday afternoon. The duo, prominent Delhi-based entrepreneurs operating multiple hospitality ventures, face charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and violations under the Goa Shops and Establishments Act.

The blaze erupted in the early hours of Sunday at the Arpora venue in North Goa, trapping patrons and staff amid chaotic escape attempts and resulting in fatalities predominantly among restaurant employees. Preliminary investigations point to multiple lapses, including inadequate fire safety measures, blocked emergency exits, and overcrowding during a late-night event. The Goa government swiftly constituted a high-level committee to probe the incident's causes and preventive failures, with forensic teams analyzing debris for accelerants and structural weaknesses.

Hours after the tragedy unfolded, the Luthra brothers boarded an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Phuket, Thailand, at approximately 5:30 a.m., evading initial police checks despite a Look Out Circular issued later that evening. Goa Police, in coordination with the CBI and Interpol, expedited a Blue Corner Notice within two days to gather intelligence on their precise location and travel patterns. Authorities have also moved to impound their passports via the Regional Passport Office in New Delhi, citing national interest, while a non-bailable warrant remains active against them.

Also Read: Owner of Birch by Romeo Lane, Saurabh Luthra, Identified Following Deadly Fire in Goa

In parallel developments, Goa Police detained Ajay Gupta, one of the four co-owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, on Wednesday and transported him to the Sunlight Colony Crime Branch office in Delhi for intensive questioning. Gupta, the third partner alongside the Luthras and his brother Rajesh, is scheduled for court production later today to determine custody status. Separately, the North Goa district administration invoked safety protocols to partially demolish the adjacent Romeo Lane restaurant in Vagator—another Luthra-owned property—after it was found to have been illegally reconstructed twice following prior violations.

Goa Deputy Inspector General Varsha Sharma addressed concerns over investigative delays, affirming seamless collaboration with central agencies and emphasizing the probe's focus on accountability for safety oversights. All postmortems have concluded, with bodies released to families, as the state mourns the loss and braces for potential revelations from the ongoing inquiry that could implicate broader regulatory shortcomings in Goa's nightlife sector.

Also Read: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Orders Emergency Overhaul of Fire Safety System After Goa Tragedy